Released today by biodiesel maker, Imperium Renewables about MTV's Pimp My Ride
California Governor Stops By to Help Celebrate Conversion of 1965 Impala Into 800 Horsepower Biodiesel “Clean Machine”
Seattle, WA (April 9, 2007) – MTV’S “Pimp My Ride” and the nation’s leading biodiesel producer, Imperium Renewables, have partnered to turn an American classic into a Green Machine, and California Governor Schwarzenegger, stopped by to help celebrate the achievement. As part of a very special Earth Day episode airing April 22nd at 1pm ET/PT, the Pimp My Ride crew cut no corners to give an ecological conversion to a 1965 Chevy Impala so the car can run on pure biodiesel. Imperium founder, John Plaza, and CEO, Martin Tobias, are joining MTV is delivering the message that going green doesn’t mean having to sacrifice fun or performance, and the result is an extraordinary 800 horsepower biodiesel “Clean Machine” that achieves 25 MPG!
“We couldn’t be happier with the way things came together and we’re looking forward to seeing the episode broadcast to MTV’s worldwide audience to help show the potential of biodiesel,” commented Imperium Renewables founder, John Plaza. “This was an opportunity to work with a show that attracts one of televisions most powerful audiences, and to show what the American auto industry can do if they put a little ingenuity behind their work.”
“When we approached MTV about converting a car to diesel so we could run it on pure biodiesel, we knew the sky was the limit,” commented Imperium CEO, Martin Tobias. “What they were able to do to this car is an unparalleled achievement. Viewers will be blown away – and every one of them will want one of their own.”
Plaza and Tobias also helped introduce MTV and Galpin Auto Sports to diesel conversion expert, Jonathan Goodwin, to help with the work “under the hood”. Goodwin is an alternative energy guru and owns a business that specializes in converting GMC Hummers to diesel so their owners can drive a more ecologically responsible vehicle – most of them reaching mileage improvements of up to 2–3 times what their production line counterparts do. “The Impala was a chance to show that diesel can be used in everyday, ordinary cars, and we’re very excited with the results.”
The special episode will air on Earth Day, April 22 as part of the thinkMTV (think.mtv.com) year long, 12-step campaign “Break The Addiction,” engaging, empowering, and educating millions of young people to make smart, everyday choices that both improve their life and help to curb the impact of climate change and preserve the environment. The episode will also air on MTV2 and MTV Tr3s, and appear on MTV as the kick-off of a “Pimp My Ride” Sneak Peek marathon featuring all new episodes of the MTV hit series beginning at 1pm ET/PT on Saturday, April 22nd.
About Imperium Renewables
Imperium Renewables is a leader in the renewable energy industry. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Imperium was the first biodiesel-focused company in the United States to be funded by venture capital and its subsidiary, Seattle Biodiesel, is currently the largest producer of biodiesel on the West Coast. When its new facility, Imperium Grays Harbor, begins production in mid-2007, it will operate the largest biodiesel production facility in the country. The company has also created a number of proprietary new production innovations and technology. Imperium Renewables has received venture funding from the leading clean technology funds in the U.S. and abroad. For more information please visit: HYPERLINK "http://www.imperiumrenewables.com/"www.imperiumrenewables.com.
About thinkMTV
thinkMTV is a vibrant community where young people get informed, connect to each other, express themselves and take action on the issues important to them, their community and their world. With the credo “Reflect. Decide. Do.” thinkMTV, in partnership with almost 40 national and international organizations, enables young people to get involved in important domestic and international issues – such as education, sexual health, discrimination, the environment & natural disasters, politics, and global affairs – through long-form documentaries, public service announcements, news segments, think moments, a comprehensive website and interactive forum at think.mtv.com, emerging media platforms, speaking engagements, and grassroots activities, materials and issue guides.
About MTV Networks MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom , is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 130 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services – MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of which are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 200 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services. The network also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.