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Ford Begins Producing Low Emissions Pickup Trucks Nationwide

4 August 1999

Ford Motor Company Begins Producing Low Emissions Pickup Trucks Nationwide

    NORFOLK, Va., Aug. 3 -- Ford Motor Company today
produced the first of its 2000 model F-Series pickup trucks to be sold
nationally as Low Emission Vehicles (LEV) far in advance of government
regulation.
    "Today we are bringing to reality Ford's commitment to set itself apart
from other auto makers through our 'Cleaner, Safer Sooner,' campaign," said
Tom Phillips, Norfolk Assembly Plant manager.  "Ford's leadership is
redefining the standard by which corporations are being measured in
environmental responsibility."
    In May, Ford President and CEO Jac Nasser announced that all pickup trucks
sold in the U.S. and Canada -- about three quarters of a million -- would be
Low Emission Vehicles (LEV), well ahead of proposed government regulation and
with no additional cost to customers.
    Beginning with the 2000 model year for the F-150s built at the Norfolk
Assembly Plant, the F-Series pickup fleet will average smog forming emission
levels 43 percent cleaner than before it was classified as a LEV.
    "At Ford, our goal is to become the world's most environmentally
progressive automaker," said Gurminder Bedi, vice president - Truck Vehicle
Center.  "We believe it is possible for people to be environmentalists and
auto enthusiasts.  That's what customers and communities are demanding of us,
and that's what Ford is demanding of itself."
    Ford produces more than 800,000 F-Series pickups annually and about
360,000 Ranger compact pickups.  Rangers and the SVT Lightning are scheduled
to be low emission vehicles by 2001.
    Last year, Ford began production of low emission sport utility vehicles
and Windstar minivans and remains unmatched by other auto makers on that broad
environmental commitment.  The LEV sport utility vehicles are:  Ford Explorer,
Ford Expedition; Ford Excursion; Mercury Mountaineer and Lincoln Navigator.
    SUV and Windstar production will equal about 1 million units and, when
joined with pickups, Ford will be putting two million Low Emission Vehicle
trucks on the road annually at full production.  Ford trucks and SUVs that
meet Low Emission Vehicle status will emit on average about 48 percent fewer
smog-forming emissions than trucks and SUVs that do not meet LEV.
    The combined effect of the emissions actions that Ford has taken on SUVs,
and will take with full-size pickups is equivalent to eliminating smog forming
emissions from 350,000 full-size pickups on the road today.