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Ford Plans to Offer Cleaner Vehicles in 1999 Model Year

5 February 1998

Ford Plans to Offer Cleaner Vehicles in 1999 Model Year

    CHICAGO, Feb. 4 -- Ford Motor Company has advised
the Environmental Protection Agency that it will opt-in to the National Low
Emission Vehicle Program, providing low emission vehicles beginning in the
1999 model year.
    "These cars and trucks are 70 percent cleaner than currently required,
according to the EPA," said Jacques Nasser, president of Ford Automotive
Operations, speaking at the opening of the Chicago Auto Show.  "We are
prepared to move forward with this historic cooperative agreement because it
is simply the right thing to do."
    Initially, 12 states and the District of Columbia were asked by the EPA to
voluntarily participate in the NLEV program.  At the end of the states'
consideration period, eight states and the District of Columbia agreed to
participate.
    "We urge the four remaining states who have not opted-in to NLEV to do so.
By working together it is my belief that this new spirit of cooperation is
another significant step in making our world a cleaner place,"  Nasser said.
    Today's announcement complements the company's earlier announcement that
it would make all sport utility vehicles as well as the popular Windstar
minivans Low-Emission (LEV) beginning in the 1999 model year.
    The EPA, in putting forth the NLEV rule, was clear in saying that all
automotive manufacturers need to join this program.  Ford expressed the hope
that its competitors would also opt-in.
    Ford will begin selling the NLEV vehicles in the Northeast later this year
and will expand to the rest of the country in the 2001 model year.

SOURCE  Ford Motor Company