2005 NAIAS

• Critically acclaimed 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid adds 2005 North American Truck of the Year to its growing list of recognitions and accolades.

• Escape Hybrid is the cleanest SUV on the road and tops the EPA’s 2005 Fuel Economy Guide as the most fuel-efficient light truck or SUV.

• Ford Motor Company is expanding its hybrid commitment to five vehicles to be on the road in the 2008 calendar year.

DETROIT, Jan. 9, 2005 – Ford Escape Hybrid – the cleanest, most fuel-efficient SUV on the road – has been named "North American Truck of the Year" for 2005.

Escape Hybrid received the 2005 North American Truck of the Year award this morning at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The award winner is determined by a panel of 50 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada.

"Escape Hybrid’s combination of outstanding fuel economy and genuine Ford SUV go-anywhere capability, passenger room and cargo capacity sets it apart from other ‘green’ vehicles," said Ford Division President Steve Lyons. "Being selected ‘Truck of the Year’ is a great accomplishment for the world’s first full-hybrid SUV. Escape Hybrid embodies our philosophy of great products, strong business and better world – and paves the way for the future as we expand our commitment to hybrid technology."

The North American Truck of the Year award is designed to recognize the most outstanding truck of the year based on factors including innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar. To be eligible, vehicles must be "all new" or "substantially changed" from the previous model. The 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid received top honors among 12 eligible trucks.

The 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid is the first hybrid to be built in North America. It combines the fuel economy and emissions benefits of a "full" hybrid with the go-anywhere capability, toughness and spaciousness of the Ford Escape, America’s best-selling small SUV. Escape Hybrid is the first hybrid electric vehicle that can comfortably accommodate five adults and their gear.

Escape Hybrid has earned the highest fuel economy numbers for an SUV as certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (36 mpg city/31 mpg highway/33 combined in front-wheel-drive configuration; 33 mpg city/29 mpg highway/31 mpg combined for the four-wheel-drive model). ....

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