Ford 'Hybrid Patrol' Teaches Drivers How To Cop The Right Attitude To Maximize Mileage

-- Ford "Hybrid Patrol" and East Point Police team up to boost drivers' fuel-economy awareness. -- Drivers to be randomly awarded $25 gas cards provided by BP gasoline for smart driving behaviors. -- Ford's all-new 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid to be official patrol vehicle on tour. -- Ford is the only American auto company to produce hybrid vehicles and was the first in the world to offer an SUV hybrid. -- More than half of the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury lineup will have hybrid capability by 2010.

EAST POINT, Ga., Nov. 3 -- Ford Motor Company will bring the American love affair with hybrid vehicles "home" to East Point Thursday, November 10, with a hands-on hybrid demonstration and a fuel-economy clinic for some of East Point's most prolific stop-and-go city drivers -- officers from the East Point Police Department.

Ford's stop in East Point is the fifth on a 10-city cross-country "Hybrid Patrol" tour. Each stop will begin with educating police officers in a fuel- economy clinic and end by testing their skills with a best-mileage competition among the officers.

The East Point Police and Ford also will patrol city streets in the Mariner Hybrid and surprise local drivers "caught in the act" of demonstrating good gas-saving practices with $25 cash checks provided by BP. Drivers also will be given additional fuel-saving driving tips for efficient driving practices.

"We chose police departments to raise fuel-economy awareness because of the thousands of gallons of gasoline patrol cars use every year in stop-and-go driving," said Nancy Gioia, director of Ford's Sustainable Mobility Technologies and Hybrid Programs. "With the Ford Escape Hybrid completing its first year in the market and the new Mercury Mariner Hybrid arriving this fall, we're anxious to help consumers improve fuel economy, too."

"We are very honored the Ford Motor Company has selected our East Point Police Department as one of its cross-country test markets of the Ford Hybrid Patrol Program," stated East Point Police Chief Frank L. Brown. "We, as with many law enforcement entities, must address numerous options as we witness the rising costs of gasoline. Fuel economy in municipal vehicles is a major concern for many U.S. cities amid budget constraints. Our officers are excited to participate in this innovative program."

"BP and Ford are working collaboratively on the development of more efficient engines and motor fuels," said Polly Flinn, president of BP's U.S. convenience retail operations. "Today's event focusing on fuel conservation fits our shared vision of sustainable mobility solutions for our customers."

Consumer and governmental interest in hybrids has skyrocketed with the dramatic focus on energy conservation. Fourteen percent of Americans surveyed the week of Sept. 16-25, 2005, said they will consider vehicles with hybrid power plants, according to AutoPacific. New federal tax incentives for hybrid purchases will begin January 1.

In 2004, the East Point Police Department purchased approximately 135,000 gallons of gas, and based on the area's current average price of regular unleaded gasoline, $2.39 per gallon, they could reduce their fuel budget by thousands of dollars by using fuel-economy tips.

Ford also will enter each city's most fuel-efficient officer in a drawing to win a new 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid for the department. And Ford will donate $2,500 to the East Point Police Athletic League.

Ford's Hybrid Commitment

Ford recently announced a commitment to increase global hybrid production ten-fold, to approximately 250,000 units annually by 2010. More than half of the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury lineup will have hybrid capability.

"We know it's our responsibility to offer innovative fuel technology and new services to consumers," said Gioia. "Not only have we dramatically increased our hybrid production over the next few years, but we are working on numerous other Flexible Fuel vehicles, including four available for 2006."

Ford's Hybrid Lineup

Ford is the only American auto company to produce hybrids and was the first in the world to offer an SUV hybrid. That vehicle was the Ford Escape Hybrid, the cleanest, most fuel-efficient SUV on the road. Pulled ahead of its original production schedule because of increased market demand, the Mercury Mariner Hybrid is the second of Ford Motor Company's five announced hybrid vehicles.

The Mariner Hybrid is a compact SUV with outstanding fuel economy and smart and sophisticated Mercury styling and distinctive design. It has the versatility of a sport-utility vehicle and advanced technology that is capable of bettering consumers' lives and the environment.

The Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner Hybrids are the first full hybrids to be built in North America. The combined benefits of near-zero emissions, the fuel economy of a full hybrid and the four-wheel drive go-anywhere capability make it the ideal ride for consumers across America who don't want to compromise what they have in their conventional vehicles today. The Ford Escape Hybrid is available for sale in dealerships throughout the U.S. and Canada, while the Mercury Mariner Hybrid is arriving in dealerships this fall.

About BP

BP markets more than 15 billion gallons of gasoline every year to U.S. consumers through 14,000 retail outlets and supplies more than four billion gallons of fuel annually to fleets, industrial users, auto and truck manufacturers, railroads and utilities.

BP is the single, global brand and formed by the combination of the former British Petroleum, Amoco Corporation, Atlantic Richfield (ARCO) and Burmah Castrol. BP is a global producer, manufacturer and marketer of oil, gas, chemicals and renewable energy sources. For more information, please visit http://www.amocoultimate.com/ or http://www.bp.com/ .

Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With nearly 325,000 employees and 110 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Motor Credit Company and Hertz. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit http://www.fordvehicles.com/ .