Ford Names Ranger EV Dealers in New York

7 November 1997
Ford Names Ranger EV Dealers in New York

    NEW YORK, Nov. 7 -- Ford Motor Company today
announced that five New York state dealerships will become the first on the
east coast authorized to sell the 1998 Ford Ranger Electric Vehicle (EV).
    The dealers include: Manhattan Ford in New York City; Tower Ford in Great
Neck; Country Ford in Levittown; Syosett Ford/Meadowbrook in Syosett; and
Metro Ford in Schenectady.
    "We believe that New York will be an important market for what we think is
the best electric pickup track available -- the 1998 Ranger EV," said Beryl
Stajich, Ford's fleet and AFV brand team manager.  "Like Ford, these dealers
are committed to helping develop the market for electric vehicles.  They are
highly motivated in this regard and have a proven commitment to quality and
customer service."
    The 1998 Ford Ranger EV is on sale now and deliveries from the dealerships
will begin early next year.  "We plan on targeting primarily fleet customers,
but retail customers can also purchase a Ranger EV," said Stajich.  The price
of a Ranger EV is $32,795.
    "Best-in-Class" safety and convenience features such as an on-board
conductive charger, regenerative braking, anti-lock braking system and
emergency power-off are all standard on the 1998 Ranger EV.  "This state-of-
the-art vehicle incorporates proven advanced technology developed at our world
class facilities and has been rigorously tested to assure it is 'Built Ford
Tough,'" said John Wallace, director of Ford's alternative fuel vehicle
programs.
    "Ford chose a conductive charging system for the Ranger EV because we
believe it is not only extremely safe, but also the most efficient and cost-
effective method of charging available today," added Wallace.
    Powered by lead-acid batteries, the Ranger EV will have "real world"
driving range of approximately 50 miles between charges and accelerates from
0-50 in 12.5 seconds, similar to the gasoline powered Ranger.
    Among the advantages of electric vehicles are zero tailpipe emissions,
reduced maintenance and improved energy efficiency over the gasoline engine.
"We want fleet customers to take a second look and consider the Ford Ranger EV
as a fun-to-drive pickup truck which has the quality, reliability and
durability they have come to expect from Ford," added Wallace.
    Ford has the broadest variety of alternative fuel vehicles of any
automaker.  In 1998, Ford offers a total of 12 vehicles that run on either
ethanol, methanol, propane, natural gas or electricity.  In the 1997 model
year, Ford sold 95 percent of all alternative fuel vehicles in the United
States.
    For more information on the Ranger EV or any of Ford's alternative fuel
lineup, call 800-ALT-FUEL.

SOURCE  Ford Motor Company