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Georgia Leads the Pack for Sales of Ford Ranger Electric Vehicles

11 February 1999

Georgia Leads the Pack for Sales of Ford Ranger Electric Vehicles

    ATLANTA, Feb. 10 -- What's the best market for electric
vehicles?  For Ford Motor Company, the state of Georgia ranked at the top of
the list for 1998 models.
    Ford sold just over 250 Ranger electric pickup trucks throughout 18 states
during 1998.  Forty-five of the Ranger EVs are in the hands of Georgia
customers.
    Ford sells the Ranger EV through two dealerships in the state.  The Ford
dealers that are certified to sell EVs are Southlake Ford in Morrow, Georgia
and Family Ford in Dallas, Georgia.
    "Much of our success in Georgia is tied to our strong working relationship
with the Georgia Power utility company," said Mike McCabe, Ford's worldwide
marketing manager for Alternative Fuel Vehicles.
    Georgia Power and Ford are partners in a fleet evaluation program to loan
local business customers Ranger EVs to test for several months to determine
whether these vehicles meet their needs.
    "The fleet evaluation program allows our customers to put the Ranger EV
into their work applications," said Leonard Haynes, senior vice president of
marketing for Georgia Power.  "At the end of the loan, the fleets evaluating
the Ranger EV can see how easy and convenient electric vehicles can be to
operate and maintain."

    Lead Acid Ranger lease price decreases for 1999
    In 1999, Ford is offering the lead-acid Ranger EV for a lease price of
$349 a month -- a $100 reduction from 1998.
    In addition, the lead acid Ranger EV will be the basis for a nationwide
demonstration of fast-charging technology later this year.  With fast
charging, a Ranger EV can be 80 percent charged in 15-20 minutes.
    The demonstration program will begin this spring with fast charge-equipped
Ranger EVs going to utilities in the U.S. and Canada.  The demonstration
program will continue through 2001 and could ultimately include up to 30
Ranger EVs.
    For 1999, Ford is also introducing a Nickel Metal Hydride battery option
to some Ranger EV customers.

    Ranger EV "Built Ford Tough"
    The Ranger EV was designed to be a practical, dependable light duty pickup
that balances performance, reliability and energy efficiency.  It has a 90
horsepower, high-efficiency three phase AC electric motor with a single speed
transaxle.  It has a heavy duty frame and suspension, and a robust rear-wheel
drive powertrain.
    "Like all Ford trucks, the Ranger EV is 'Built Ford Tough'," said McCabe.
"Our customers asked for an EV that drives with the safety, reliability and
durability of a conventional gasoline vehicle, and that's what they get with
this truck."
    The Ranger EV uses a conductive charging system, which is inexpensive,
safe and easy to use.  The system used for the Ranger EV complies with the
Society of Automotive Engineers safety standards.
    The Ranger EV joins the industry leading lineup of alternative fuel
vehicles that Ford currently offers for sale to fleet and retail customers.
Ford offers vehicles fueled by electricity, natural gas, propane and ethanol.