Automakers Reach Technology Milestone

More Than 60 Advanced Technology Vehicles Now on Sale or in Development

WASHINGTON, Nov. 28 -- The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers today announced that its member companies have more than 60 cutting-edge, advanced technology autos either on sale now or in development.

"In just five years, we've seen the number of these advanced technology vehicles on the market grow to more than 30 on sale in dealer showrooms today," said Alliance President & CEO Fred Webber. "Additionally, more than 30 more advanced technology vehicles, including hybrids, clean diesels and biodiesels, alternative fuel vehicles, cars using liquid hydrogen in internal combustion engines [ICE], fuel cells and electric vehicles are in development."

Automakers are investing billions of dollars to develop and introduce new fuel-efficient automobiles with cutting-edge technologies. The auto industry spends more than any other industry on research and development.

"This achievement is a testament to automakers' commitment to helping consumers fight high gas prices, help protect the environment, and help address America's dependence on foreign sources of energy," Webber added.

Because cutting-edge technologies often cost more than their conventional counterparts, automakers believe that consumer tax credits for hybrids, clean diesels, alternative fuel vehicles, hydrogen ICEs. Electric vehicles and fuel cells can help accelerate the movement of these products into the market. Recently passed energy legislation will provide between $600 and $4,000 per vehicle in tax incentives for consumers who purchase advanced technology vehicles, depending on the vehicle.

  The complete list of advanced technology vehicles by make and model:

              Advanced Technology Vehicles Now on Sale (36)

  Hybrids                 Volkswagen Golf TDI      Dodge Durango
  Chevrolet Silverado     Volkswagen Jetta TDI     Dodge Ram
   Hybrid                 Volkswagen New Beetle    Dodge Stratus
  Dodge Ram Hybrid         TDI                     Ford F-150 Pickup Truck
  GMC Sierra Hybrid       Volkswagen Passat TDI    GMC Sierra
  Ford Escape Hybrid                               GMC Yukon
  Lexus 400h Hybrid       Ethanol (E-85)           GMC Yukon XL
  Mercury Mariner Hybrid  Chevrolet Avalanche      Lincoln Town Car
  Toyota Highlander       Chevrolet Impala         Mercedes-Benz C-Class
   Hybrid                 Chevrolet Monte Carlo    Mercury Grand Marquis
  Toyota Prius            Chevrolet Silverado
                          Chevrolet Suburban       Natural Gas
  Diesels/Bio-diesels     Chevrolet Tahoe          Chevrolet Silverado 2500
  Dodge Ram               Chrysler Sebring          HD
  Jeep Liberty/Cherokee   Chrysler Town & Country  GMC Sierra 2500 HD
  Mercedes Benz E320 CDI  Dodge Caravan/Grand
                           Caravan

          Advanced Technology Vehicles in Development Now (29+)

  Hybrids                 Diesels                  Fuel Cells
  Audi Q7 Hybrid          Audi A8 TDI              Dodge Sprinter
  Chevrolet Malibu        BMW (several models      Ford Focus
   Hybrid                  considered for US       GM Sequel
  Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid   market)                 Mercedes F-Cell
  Dodge Durango Hybrid    Chrysler Group           Toyota FCHV
  Ford Fusion Hybrid       (several models         Volkswagen HY.MOTION
  GMC Yukon Hybrid         considered for
  Lexus GS Hybrid          North American          Electric Vehicles
  Mazda Tribune Hybrid     market)                 DaimlerChrysler GEM
  Mercury Milan Hybrid    Mercedes-Benz ML CDI     Mitsubishi Lancer
  Porsche Cayenne Hybrid  Saab 9-5                  Evolution IX MIEV
  Saturn Vue Hybrid                                 (Mitsubishi In-Wheel
  Toyota Camry Hybrid     Hydrogen Internal         Motor Electric Vehicle)
  Volkswagen Jetta        Combustion Engine        Mitsubishi "i" MIEV
   Hybrid                 BMW 760h
                          Ford Economic ICE
                          Ford Model U
                          Mazda RENESIS

The information above is all publicly available. For more information, see http://www.autoalliance.org/innovation.

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/.