Ford Motor Company Adds Ford Expedition, Ford E-Series Vans and Lincoln Navigator to Its E-85 Line-Up

WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 22, 2008 –Ford Motor Company announced today it is adding three additional vehicles to its E-85 flexible fuel vehicle (FFV) line-up for the 2009 model year -- Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator full size sports utility vehicles and Ford E-Series full size van and wagon. These latest entrants are yet another example of Ford’s aggressive plan to bring more products that customers want and need to market faster.

The Ford E-Series will be the first over 8,500 lb. full size van to provide E-85 capability and also the first full size van to offer two V-8 engine alternatives with E-85 capability – a 4.6-liter and a 5.4-liter. Redesigned last year to provide even greater functionality, the E-85 E-Series demonstrates Ford's commitment to delivering customer focused features that have made it America's best-selling full size van for 28 years.

The Expedition and Navigator are also popular with customers due to their passenger and cargo space, towing capabilities, on- and off-road performance and safety features such as AdvanceTrac® with RSC® and five-star safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. The Expedition, Expedition EL, Navigator and Navigator L will be available with the 5.4-liter flexible fuel engine.

“These new flex fuel offerings will provide a key benefit to customers who require, or desire,
E-85 capability in vehicles with the functional attributes that only a full size van or large SUV can provide,” Gerald Koss, Ford’s fleet marketing manager.

The addition of the Expedition, Navigator and E-Series to Ford’s flexible fuel line-up now brings the total to seven. The other models include Ford F-150 and Crown Victoria, Lincoln Town Car and Mercury Grand Marquis. Beginning with the 2008 model year, Ford began offering the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor and taxi with E-85 capability.

“The expansion of our FFV line up to include Expedition, Navigator and E-Series provides a great alternative for customers who are committed to becoming more environmentally conscious and seek alternative fuel vehicles either for their business or for personal use. This includes government and business customers that are mandated by the Energy Policy ACT (EPACT) to purchase alternative fuel vehicles,” Koss said.

Government agencies that include 2009 model year Expedition, Navigator or E-Series on their annual Department of Energy plan can receive credits toward EPACT mandates, increasing the flexibility of their vehicle fleet selection and purchases.

Customers can begin placing orders for the Expedition, Navigator and E-Series in May 2008 with vehicle production slated to begin in July 2008.

Last year, Ford achieved 50-state certification for all of the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury 2008 flexible fuel passenger car models. Achieving 50-state certification means Ford's flexible fuel vehicles meet both emissions rules set by the Federal government, as well as California. The evaporative standards in California create some unique challenges for FFVs. By certifying to both standards, automakers can sell their vehicles nationwide and reduce complexity.

Ford has placed more than two million flexible fuel vehicles on the road, and has pledged to make half of its production capable of running on alternative fuels by 2012, provided the necessary fuel and infrastructure are in place.
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 250,000 employees and about 100 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.

Source: Ford Motor Company

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