Gentlemen, Charge Your Engines!

1 April 1998
Gentlemen, Charge Your Engines!

                  NYIAS Will Host New York City's First-Ever
                   Electric/Alternative Fuel Vehicle Parade

    WHITESTONE, N.Y., April 1 -- The world's quietest parade --
comprised solely of electric and alternative fuel cars and trucks -- will
serve as the featured attraction on Opening Day of the 1998 New York
International Auto Show (NYIAS).  On Saturday, April 11, 1998 at 9:00 am, more
than 20 cars, vans and trucks will depart from Tavern on the Green on Central
Park West, cross the park at 66th Street, turn right on 5th Avenue, proceed
down 5th Avenue to 42nd Street, swing right back to 11th Avenue, hook a left
and pick up the Daily News Marching Band and the Knicks City Dancers, then
cruise down 11th Avenue to the Crystal Place of the Javits Center.
    "Our 'EV/Alternative Fuel' parade should make for a diverting and
educational kick-off to this year's Show," said John LaSorsa, Chairman of the
Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association's (GNYADA) Auto Show
Committee.  "We want to show New York, and America, that we in the Tri-State
Area are committed to providing a wide range of environmentally friendly
automotive options.  And while most of these cars do represent the future of
driving, some of the models in the parade are available for sale at your local
dealerships."

    Participants will include:

    -- Chrysler Epic minivan (electric)
    -- Chrysler Intrepid ESX2
    -- Ford Super Stallion (Mustang test bed, ethanol-fueled)
    -- Ford Taurus FFV (ethanol/gasoline)
    -- Ford Crown Victoria Natural Gas Taxi
    -- BiFuel Ford Contour
    -- BiFuel Propane/Gasoline Ford F150 or F250 pickup
    -- CNG Ford Econoline van
    -- CNG Ford Expedition for Park Service
    -- Electric Ford Splash (Ranger pickup)
    -- Chevrolet S10 (electric)
    -- Chevrolet S10 Pikes Peak Electric
    -- GM EV1 (electric)
    -- GM CNG Truck
    -- Honda EV Plus
    -- Nissan Altra EV
    -- Panoz Q9 (hybrid, electric/gas, LeMans race car)
    -- Toyota E-com (electric)
    -- Toyota RAV4-EV
    -- Toyota Prius (hybrid, electric/gas)

    The Auto Show will take place from Saturday, April 11th, to Sunday,
April 19th, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan.  More than
1.1 million consumers are expected at the '98 Show.  For more information,
visit our web site at http://www.autoshowny.com or call, 800-282-3336.

SOURCE  New York International Auto Show