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Ford Natural Gas Econolines Deliver Papers

13 May 1998

Ford Natural Gas Econolines Deliver Papers - and Beat Competition - In Salt Lake City

    SALT LAKE CITY, May 12 -- Tough, clean-burning Ford
natural gas Econolines are now braving the city's inclement weather and steep
inclines to deliver newspapers for the Salt Lake City Tribune.
    The Tribune has recently taken delivery of 24 natural gas Econoline vans
to replace part of its gasoline-powered fleet.  Another 24 Ford natural gas
vans will soon be added.  However, before ordering the vehicles, the newspaper
staged its own test between the natural gas vehicle and its regular gasoline-
powered trucks -- both full of newspapers.
    Salt Lake City Tribune drivers put the vehicles through their paces in bad
weather, up and down steep inclines, during rush-hour traffic, and through
heavy construction zones where stopping and starting was constant.  The
natural gas Econoline beat the gasoline-powered vehicle in every test, from
braking to overall mileage.
    "We love them," says Robin Erickson, Circulation Transportation manager
for the Salt Lake City Tribune.  "And they perform better than the vehicles we
use in our existing fleet!"
    Salt Lake City is part of Ford's "Focus Market Development Program," an
effort to increase demand -- and ultimately sales -- of natural gas vehicles
(NGVs) around the country.  In addition to Salt Lake City, focus cities are
Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York and Philadelphia.  Ford added
the regular length Econoline Club Wagon to its fleet of natural gas products
in October of last year in response to customer demand.
    "The natural gas Econoline is a sturdy and rugged vehicle that can handle
any terrain," said Beryl Stajich, Ford Fleet and Alternative Fuel Vehicle
brand manager.  "The natural gas Econoline is a great example of our broad
commitment to producing cars and trucks that both meet customer needs and
lower emissions."
    The dedicated natural gas Econoline van was one of the first in the world
to meet California's Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) standard.  The
other was Ford's dedicated natural gas F-250 pickup truck.  By meeting SULEV
the vehicles emit about 85 percent fewer smog-forming hydrocarbon emissions
than the permitted level in California for 1998.
    Ford is the leader in alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) sales technology with
the broadest variety of NGVs in the world.  In 1998, the company's North
American NGV lineup includes -- a dedicated natural gas Crown Victoria sedan,
F-250 pickup and Econoline van, and a bi-fuel Contour sedan, F-series truck
and Econoline van.  Besides natural gas, Ford also offers AFVs that run on
propane, electricity, ethanol or methanol.

SOURCE  Ford Motor Company