FORD HYBRIDS BRING A LITTLE GREEN TO THE OSCAR'S RED CARPET
Source: Ford Media
March 7, 2006

Ford Motor Company's hybrid vehicles -- the Ford Escape Hybrid and the Mercury Mariner Hybrid -- transported Hollywood stars to the Academy Awards ceremony and related events in Los Angeles over the weekend.

Cathy Schulman, executive producer of “Crash,” winner of the best picture Oscar at the 78th annual awards, was provided with a Mercury Mariner Hybrid for the festivities.

"It's great that hybrid technology is now available in the Mercury Mariner and that I have the chance to drive it to many of the events surrounding academy awards weekend," said Schulman. "We cast the Lincoln Navigator in 'Crash,' so it's nice for me to be arriving in the newest 'green member' of the Lincoln Mercury family."

Myles Romero, Ford's Global Brand Entertainment manager who made the arrangements for the Lincoln Navigator to appear in "Crash", said the film's victory as best picture was personally gratifying.

"This was a great story since we don’t usually make a product placement in a film that does not have distribution," he said. "But when we read the script it was beautifully written and told a very human story, and so we decided to participate prior to distribution."

Jack Gyllenhaal, a best supporting actor nominee for his role in “ Brokeback Mountain ,” was transported to the Academy Awards ceremony in a bio-diesel powered Ford Excursion, according to Y. Fray, CEO of ECOLIMO, which provides executive transportation services to clients in environmentally friendly vehicles.

In addition to providing transportation to stars, Ford saluted this year's nominees and participants with a two-page advertisement in Friday's special edition of The Hollywood Reporter."

"Ford Motor Company has had a long love affair with Hollywood , and we salute all of the nominees this year," said Romero. "Ford's relationship with the movie industry dates back to silent films, and today our Beverly Hills office has the widest portfolio of automotive brands available for movies, TV and other entertainment opportunities."

The Mercury Mariner Hybrid was named the "2006 Green Car of the Year" by Green Car Journal. By 2008, Ford will have five hybrids on the road, including versions of the Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner, Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Mazda Tribute. By 2010, Ford plants to increase its global hybrid production to approximately 250,000 hybrid units annually.

Schulman, who received a bright red Mercury Mariner Hybrid on Friday, was thrilled with the vehicle, according to Romero.

"She loved the styling of the compact SUV," said Romero. "She thought it was a great opportunity to drive the hybrid for the weekend."