Ford Hybrid Patrol, East Point PD to Pull Over and 'Cite' Fuel-Efficient Drivers with Free Gas Cards

WHAT: The East Point Police Department is teaming up with the "Ford Hybrid Patrol" to pull over fuel-efficient drivers at random in a customized Mercury Mariner Hybrid patrol SUV (complete with flashers and bullhorn). Drivers will be rewarded free gas cards.

It's part of Ford Motor Company's and the East Point Police Department's effort to promote fuel efficiency and explain the myths and realities of hybrid technology. Fred Johns, Ford Hybrid Vehicle Integration Supervisor, will accompany the officers and briefly give drivers tips about maximizing fuel economy. Johns will also give a fuel-economy clinic at the East Point PD for officers at roll call. The department purchased 135,000 gallons of fuel in the 2005 fiscal year. With gas prices in the Atlanta area averaging $2.39 (regular), the department's fuel budget is becoming increasingly difficult to manage.

The fuel-economy clinic will help officers improve their mpg in patrol cars, and give them insights into hybrid innovation as more governmental agencies in the U.S. are giving the fuel-saving hybrids a closer look.

  WHERE &
  WHEN:    East Point Police Department
           2727 East Point Street
           East Point, Georgia 30344

  Thursday, November 10, 2005
  *  7:45 a.m. - Fuel Economy Clinic
  *  8:15 a.m. - Officers' fuel-economy challenge
  *  9 a.m. - 6 p.m. - Hybrid Patrol's $25 BP gas gift card distribution to
                       random drivers in the city.
  *  3:45 p.m. - Fuel Economy Clinic
  *  4:20 p.m. - Officers' fuel-economy challenge

ALSO: The East Point Police Department fuel economy clinic will include a friendly fuel-economy challenge between officers. The officer earning the best fuel economy driving a Ford Escape Hybrid or Mercury Mariner Hybrid will be entered to win a brand-new Mariner Hybrid for his/her department against other police agencies across the country.

Ford will donate $2,500 to the East Point Police Athletic League, an organization to expand the horizons of the youth within the City of East Point, and reduce truancy, drug, and gang activity. P.A.L. also provides more opportunity for police officers to interact with the children in a positive way.

The Mercury Mariner Hybrid debuted at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this year. Along with the Ford Escape Hybrid, it is one of two hybrids currently manufactured by Ford in the USA, which together are the world's first hybrid SUVs. Demonstrating its commitment to hybrid innovation, more than half of the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products will have hybrid capability by 2010.

Please contact Bill Jamieson via cell at +1-313-938-8316 or bjamieson@pcgcampbellco.com to schedule one-on-one interviews/test drives with Fred Johns or to cover the hybrid patrol.

Go to http://media.ford.com/ for news releases and high-resolution photographs.

PRNewswire -- Nov. 9