Ford-Sponsored Solar Car arrives Down Under

SYDNEY – October 2, 2009: The Ford-sponsored University of Michigan Solar Car team recently visited Ford Australia, displaying their "Infinium" Solar Car, which is entered in the world-renowned Global Green Challenge. The Global Green Challenge will see solar car entries from universities around the world compete in a race from Darwin to Adelaide, starting on October 25. This year, the Challenge will also include a number of production car categories – all aiming for the ultimate goal of achieving the best possible fuel economy and lowest emissions over the course of the week-long drive.

Ford employees were recently given the opportunity to get up close and personal with the vehicle and with the team to find out more about the challenge and the solar vehicle's capabilities.

Ford Motor Company is a long-term partner of the team and has provided funding and technical assistance to enable them to compete in the Challenge. In addition, Ford have also provided students, who will be piloting the vehicle in Australia, professional driver's training. The team has yielded some impressive statistics winning five of nine national championship races, including the inaugural international solar vehicle race in 2005 and finishing third in the 2007 World Car Solar Challenge, the highest of any American team. "The team seeks to be the first American winner of the race since the inaugural race in 1987" said Steve Hechtman, the University of Michigan Solar Car Team 2009 Project Manager.

Ford Australia is also supporting their efforts by providing storage and support vehicles to the team throughout their two month stay. The support vehicles provided to the University of Michigan team were specifically chosen to satisfy even the toughest of the race’s demands in the upcoming Global Green Challenge.

Three Ford Territory's will be used as lead, chase and weather vehicle while Ford Ranger is the perfect 'scout' vehicle, capable of hauling a large cargo load plus a full cab of team members. "With these quality vehicles and the generous support from Ford Australia, our team caravan is well-prepared to respond to the challenges we will face in the outback", said Hechtman.

As well as supporting the University of Michigan Solar Car team in their category, Ford Australia will be entering two vehicles in the Global Green Car Challenge – Fiesta ECOnetic and Falcon XR6 Turbo. "The Challenge presents a great opportunity to showcase our upcoming new Fiesta ECOnetic ahead of its launch and to reiterate the outstanding fuel economy that can be achieved by Falcon", said Marin Burela, President and CEO, Ford Australia.