The National Parks, America's most treasured resources, will become a little greener with the donation of 12 new 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid SUVs to the National Park Foundation, the official non-profit partner of America's National Parks. Bill Ford, Chairman and CEO of Ford Motor Company, announced the gift today by handing the keys to the only American-made full-hybrid vehicle to U.S. Secretary of Interior and National Park Foundation Chairman Gale Norton.

“This donation is the latest in our efforts to provide the National Parks with advanced technology vehicles that help the parks preserve the environment.  As a Proud Partner of America's National Parks, Ford provides transportation solutions that enable visitors to enjoy all 388 National Parks without compromising the beauty of these natural and cultural resources," Ford said.

"Ford's long-term commitment to innovative, sustainable transportation solutions will enrich the experience of all National Park visitors while protecting our important natural resources," Secretary Norton said today.  "I commend the company's efforts in being effective and proud partners of the National Park Foundation."

Two Ford Escape Hybrids will remain in the D.C. area, for use by Park Rangers and staff at the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal Historical National Park and National Capital Parks-Central, which maintains sites including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial; Korean War Veterans Memorial; Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial; Ford's Theatre National Historic Site; Petersen House (the house where Lincoln died), Pennsylvania Avenue National Historical Park, and the Old Post Office Tower. The remaining vehicles are expected to be utilized primarily in urban National Parks in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, and New York. 

David Molinas and Ilana Cohn, student interpreters sponsored by Ford and the National Park Foundation, arrived at ceremony from the C&O Canal on Ford-donated bicycles.  The students will spend the summer leading 15 guided public bike tours of the C&O Canal, with the Ford Escape Hybrid serving as a support vehicle. Ford has previously donated 100 K2 mountain bikes to parks in Washington, D.C., Ohio and Wyoming to be used by rangers and park visitors to explore the beauty of the Parks.   "Congress created the National Park Foundation to serve as a critical link between the private sector and America's National Parks," added NPF President Jim Maddy.  "Ford's continuing commitment as a Proud Partner of America's National Parks helps ensure that the National Park experience will be available and memorable for all, and we are grateful for their partnership.  Today, with Ford's generous contribution, we renew our commitment to forging an enduring connection between the American people and their National Parks." 

As a Proud Partner of America's National Parks, Ford works closely with the National Park Foundation and the National Park Service to preserve history and the environment. Ford helps develop innovative transportation and environmental solutions, enabling visitors to enjoy the nearly 400 National Parks around the country.  The premiere project of the Partnership is the restoration of a fleet of 33 historic red buses in Glacier National Park. The buses were restored with new chassis and engines that run on cleaner burning propane fuel, yet they still maintain their charming historic appearance. Since the Red Bus project, Ford has supported transportation research and education in more than 50 National Parks across the country.

The 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid is the world's cleanest, most fuel-efficient SUV, able to travel between 35 and 40 miles on a gallon of gas in city driving.  Recently, the vehicle tackled stop-and-go traffic in New York City.  The vehicle traveled an extraordinary 576 miles on a single tank of gas (15 gallons), running 37 hours non-stop and delivering more than 38 miles per gallon.

The Ford Escape Hybrid is the first "full" hybrid to be built in North America.  It's capable of running solely on electric power at speeds below 25 mph, and then switching seamless and quietly into gasoline mode at higher speeds.  The high-voltage storage battery teamed with an efficient Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine means you never have to plug in the Escape Hybrid to charge.

The combined benefits of near zero emissions, the fuel economy of a full hybrid and the four-wheel drive go-anywhere capability, make it the ideal ride to explore the rugged terrain of America's national parks.