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Urge Ford: Escape Hybrid Should Lead to Better Explorer

Target: William C. Ford, Chairman and CEO, Ford Motor Company
Sponsored by: Union of Concerned Scientists

Ford has recently begun production on the first hybrid gasoline-electric SUV - the Escape Hybrid. This is a good first step, but Ford can Ā– and must Ā– do more to improve the fuel efficiency of its SUVs. Ford can now take this bold step in SUV fuel economy and establish a reputation as the leader in the Sport Utility class by improving the #1 SUV in America--the Explorer.

The Ford Explorer is the best selling SUV model in the United States, selling more than 400,000 units per year. For as little as $600 per vehicle, the Ford Explorer could improve its average fuel economy from the EPA window sticker value of 18mpg to 23.6mpg. Further conventional technology improvements costing $2,315 per Explorer would net over $4,300 in lifetime gas savings by increasing its window sticker fuel economy to 30.7mpg. And every gallon of gas saved would prevent 24 pounds of heat-trapping carbon dioxide (CO2) from being released into the atmosphere.

For a modest investment in existing technologies, Ford could make their Explorers safer and significantly more fuel efficient, saving consumers thousands of dollars and preventing air pollution and global warming emissions. Sign this petition to tell Ford's Chairman and CEO, William Ford, that he is on the right track with the Escape Hybrid, and that by improving the conventional Explorer; he can help make Ford the leading company providing genuine SUV choices to American drivers.

deadline: 9-17-2005
goal: 25,000

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Dear Mr. Ford,

I am writing to applaud your company's introduction of the first hybrid SUV—the Escape Hybrid. By bringing this fuel-efficient, low-emission vehicle to the market, you have shown that every class of automobile can benefit from the advances of hybrid technology. You have also started an extremely valuable market identity for your company as the leader in providing a better SUV that combines on-road and environmental performance in one package.

The Escape will not be the lone fuel-efficient SUV on the road for long, as Lexus and Toyota hybrid SUV models will be available soon. If Ford wants to solidify a place as the industry leader in providing consumers with a real choice in SUVs, you can complement your Escape hybrid by improving your conventional Explorer fleet. With "off-the-shelf" engine improvements, improved tires and aerodynamics, and a stronger but lighter unibody frame, you could make your Explorers both safer and more fuel-efficient. For just hundreds added to the sticker price, new Explorers could save drivers thousands of dollars at the pump over the vehicle's lifetime, and provide substantial oil and environmental security benefits.

[Your personal comments]

Again, congratulations on the introduction of the new Escape Hybrid SUV. I hope this is the beginning of a bold new initiative by Ford to provide significant improvements in fuel economy and vehicle safety; thereby providing genuine consumer choice and "no compromises" SUVs throughout your fleet in a way that will revolutionize the industry.

I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

We signed the “Urge Ford: Escape Hybrid Should Lead to Better Explorer” petition!

# 25,684:

7:06 am PDT, Apr 17, Silky Wyld, Wisconsin

# 25,683:

10:55 am PDT, Mar 23, Suzie Gordon, New Hampshire

# 25,682:

2:10 am PDT, Mar 22, Art Deco, Maine

# 25,681:

7:21 am PDT, Mar 20, Ginger Geronimo, Alabama

# 25,680:

12:28 pm PDT, Mar 18, Shannon Sultan, Wisconsin

# 25,679:

12:37 pm PDT, Mar 16, Roxie Schliesmann, Wisconsin

# 25,678:

3:26 pm PDT, Mar 15, BiLL Fowlie, Maine

# 25,677:

6:02 am PDT, Mar 15, Jerry Bradshaw, Florida

# 25,676:

1:25 pm PST, Feb 25, Daniel Amon, South Carolina

# 25,675:

6:06 pm PST, Feb 17, Laura Zanoli, Italy

# 25,674:

8:26 pm PST, Jan 15, Name not displayed, California

# 25,673:

1:04 am PST, Jan 6, Name not displayed, Wisconsin

# 25,671:

6:21 pm PST, Dec 7, Karen Gray, Indiana

# 25,670:

9:37 pm PST, Nov 27, Name not displayed, Maine

# 25,669:

10:03 am PST, Nov 23, Josh Humphreys, Missouri
Explorers are awesome.

# 25,668:

1:29 pm PDT, Oct 7, John Miller, Illinois

# 25,667:

7:35 pm PDT, Sep 23, Annette Leary, New York

# 25,666:

7:46 pm PDT, Sep 17, Kyna Crain, Montana

# 25,665:

9:16 pm PDT, Sep 15, Andrew Barker, Tennessee

# 25,664:

2:19 pm PDT, Sep 10, Chris Anas, California

# 25,663:

4:06 am PDT, Sep 2, Kaytie Irvine, California

# 25,662:

2:05 pm PDT, Aug 8, Nat Perry, Kansas

# 25,661:

9:12 pm PDT, Jul 22, Dana Szemereta, North Carolina

# 25,660:

8:56 pm PDT, Jul 17, Morgan Cohen-Ross, Illinois

# 25,659:

1:33 am PDT, Jul 5, William Harper, Georgia

# 25,658:

8:09 am PDT, Jun 16, Hazel Matich, Illinois

# 25,657:

12:22 pm PDT, Jun 13, Elle Thomas, Canada

# 25,656:

7:41 am PDT, Jun 9, Erika Stone, Virginia

# 25,655:

12:56 pm PDT, Jun 5, Diane Saathoff, Pennsylvania
With gas costing over $3.00 a gallon, motor vehicle companies must give consumers more options on hybrid vehicles. Not everyone can use a car or small SUV. We need more choices and the technology is there to produce these vechicles.

# 25,654:

4:40 pm PDT, May 19, Theresa Lamb, California
It's a matter of responsibility, not just consumerism. It's a matter of helping ensure our environment, can heal. FORD, BE A LEADER IN HEALING

# 25,653:

12:28 pm PDT, May 17, Name not displayed, Ohio
I love my Explorer, but feel guilty driving it. Why not improve it if you can keep the things we love about it and charge a $1000 or less more for the technology?

# 25,652:

7:04 pm PDT, May 16, Pauline Houzard, Guadeloupe

# 25,651:

3:09 pm PDT, May 10, Aiz T, Canada

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Urge Ford: Escape Hybrid Should Lead to Better Explorer

This petition has been closed.