America's Greenest Major Metropolitan Area Gets Donations of World's Greenest SUV

Bay-Area National Parks Among First in Nation to Get 2005 Ford Escape Hybrids

SAN MATEO, Calif., Oct. 16 -- Ford Motor Company today donated two Ford Escape Hybrids -- Earth's first and only full hybrid SUV -- to Bay-area National Parks to meet the demanding needs of National Park Rangers. The two parks, Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area, will each receive an Escape Hybrid and put it to work this month.

The donation was made through Ford's relationship with America's national treasures as a Proud Partner of America's National Parks. The Proud Partner program is an initiative of the independent, congressionally chartered nonprofit National Park Foundation.

"Ford Motor Company has been a tremendous partner of America's National Parks, helping develop innovative and environmentally sustainable transportation solutions," said Michael Bento, Senior Vice President of the National Park Foundation. "The Escape Hybrid is another important contribution to sustainable transportation in the National Parks -- a vehicle that works in the demanding environment of a National Park and protects that environment at the same time."

Perhaps the most anticipated vehicle to hit the market in a generation, the advanced-technology 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid provides maximum functionality to park rangers with a minimum impact on the parks it serves. The Escape Hybrid can meet the demanding needs of a Park Service vehicle while at the same time delivering high fuel efficiency, low noise and near zero emissions. Ford is donating Escape Hybrids to eight National Park sites nationwide.

"We are pleased to be a Proud Partner of America's National Parks," said Sheri Shapiro, Escape marketing manager, Ford Motor Company. "The National Parks are a great way for the Escape Hybrid to demonstrate what is does best -- deliver outstanding handling and capability with virtually no impact on the environment."