“Ford is deeply committed to greener miles – to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil, save our customers money at the pump, and improve our environment,” said Bill Ford, Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman. “The Mercury Mariner hybrid we're delivering today meets that commitment, bringing American innovation to an American President.” The development of the Presidential Mariner Hybrid is a showcase of Ford’s and the Clinton Foundation’s commitment to innovation in the areas of energy and climate change. Earlier this month, President Clinton announced the formation of the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI), a project of his foundation that is dedicated to making a difference in the fight against climate change in practical and measurable ways. The Ford Escape Hybrid and the Mariner Hybrid are one part of Ford Motor Company’s approach to deliver greener miles with less pollution and greater fuel economy. Ford has expanded its work on hybrids in the U.S. and Europe and will add three more hybrid vehicles to its lineup by 2008. That strategy also includes E85 ethanol-capable vehicles, including the flex-fuel F-150, clean-diesel technologies, and hydrogen-powered vehicles. Ford is a leader in hydrogen internal combustion engines, and will deliver more than 20 shuttle buses equipped with the engines to customers this year. Ford also is actively engaged in research on other bio-fuels and is deploying advanced engine and transmission technologies across its powertrain lineup. The custom interior of the Presidential Mariner Hybrid emphasizes the comfort, convenience and productivity of an executive office, with details such as unique LED lighting, a 110-volt outlet and a new writing table. The Mariner Hybrid’s full-hybrid powertrain was unchanged, preserving its impressive 32 miles per gallon in city driving, 29 mpg on the highway, and ultra-clean emissions. The Mercury Mariner Hybrid’s full-hybrid blends the best features of a gasoline engine and an electric motor to deliver comparable acceleration and passing performance to the conventional Mariner equipped with a 200 horsepower V-6 engine, and nearly a 50 percent increase in fuel economy. Ford Motor Company has received more than 150 patents on the hybrid powertrain system. As a full hybrid, the Mariner Hybrid is capable of travelling up to 25 miles per hour solely on electric power, with no fuel consumption or emissions. When the output of the 2.3-liter gasoline is not needed – during coasting, idling at stoplights, or crawling through slow traffic – the gasoline engine automatically shuts off. On demand, the gasoline engine and electric motor automatically team up to deliver maximum acceleration or passing performance.