Number of Alternative Fuel Autos on New Mexico's Roads Increased 21% in 2006

New Mexico Drivers are Discovering the Alternatives: Almost 104,000 Alternative Fuel Autos on New Mexico's Roads

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., April 2 -- Automakers are celebrating National Alternative Fuel Autos Month by releasing state specific data on the sales of Alternative Fuel Autos. The R.L. Polk and Co. figures show almost 103,000 hybrid electric, ethanol-capable E-85 and clean diesel autos on New Mexico's roads in 2006, marking an increase of 21.5% from 2005 when there were almost 85,000 Alternative Fuel Autos on New Mexico's roads.

The Polk sales figures also reveal that on a national level an unprecedented 1.5 million Alternative Fuel Autos were sold in 2006, surpassing automakers' sales expectations by 50 percent. The 2006 sales bring the total number of Alternative Fuel Autos on the nation's roads to 10.5 million.

"I am proud to see that the sales of Alternative Fuel Autos are rising. The auto industry is a new industry; manufacturers are committed to selling vehicles that can run on something other than just gasoline, and consumers are taking notice," said Dave McCurdy, president of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.

New Mexico ranks 33rd in the nation in terms of total number of Alternative Fuel Autos on the state's roads and ranks 10th in terms of hybrid sales, "Automakers believe that consumer awareness, fueling infrastructure and government incentives all work together to help put more Alternative Fuel Autos on the roads," said McCurdy.

Currently manufacturers are offering 60 models of Alternative Fuel Automobiles for sale including hybrid electric, ethanol-capable E-85, and clean diesel, up from just 12 models for sale in 2000. A complete list of available autos can be found at http://www.discoveralternatives.com/. Additionally, auto engineers are working to include a diverse range of highly fuel-efficient technologies in new vehicles. Today, autos are on sale with variable valve timing, continuously variable transmissions, cylinder deactivation and more.

"One of the most effective ways to increase fuel efficiency and to achieve energy independence is through the growing number of alternative fuel automobiles," said Albuquerque Mayor Martin J. Chavez. "Fortunately, there are so many different models to choose from, and it's clear that auto manufacturers are responding to the wants and needs of today's driver."

Automakers are also working with the energy industry to develop a range of alternative fuels capable of sustaining mobility while ensuring more secure energy sources. In fact, Alliance members have forged more than 25 partnerships, joint ventures or research and development projects with energy producers to expand the fueling infrastructure for fuels such as ethanol, biomass and hydrogen. Automakers are also working with the government, fuel providers and fuel retailers to help grow the E-85 ethanol fueling infrastructure. Since mid-2005, the industry has helped add 200 fueling stations in 13 states.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is a trade association of 9 car and light truck manufacturers including BMW Group, DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Mazda, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, Toyota and Volkswagen. For more information on advanced fuel-savings technology, visit the Alliance website at http://www.autoalliance.org/.