Bill Pierre Ford

The Mercury Mariner Hybrid – the first full-hybrid premium compact SUV – is now the first vehicle to be honored by Green Car Journal as “Green Car of the Year.” Mercury Mariner Hybrid received the “2006 Green Car of the Year” award at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show. “The Mariner Hybrid is the perfect vehicle for customers who are looking for a distinctive design, the versatility of a sport-utility vehicle, and advanced technology capable of bettering their lives as well as the environment “.

Mariner Hybrid is helping pave the way for more vehicles to come in the company’s expanded commitment to hybrid technology.” The “Green Car of the Year” award is designed to recognize environmental leadership in the automotive industry. The jury includes Green Car Journal staff, as well as experts drawn from transportation technology, automotive design, racing, environmental protection, social engineering and other related fields. It makes its final selections based on research and driving experience, with an emphasis on vehicles that advance overall efficiency and functionality while decreasing environmental impact. Gasoline-electric hybrids, near-zero emission gasoline models, advanced diesels, and an array of vehicles capable of operating on alternative fuels were among those considered.

The Mercury Mariner Hybrid received top honors among five finalists. The Mercury Mariner Hybrid is the second of five hybrids announced by Ford Motor Company. The first, the critically acclaimed Ford Escape Hybrid, debuted as a 2005 model year vehicle and was named the North American Truck of the Year for 2005.

“Demand for our first hybrid – the Ford Escape Hybrid – was so strong that we pushed very hard to pull production of the Mercury Mariner Hybrid up by a full year,” said Nancy Gioia, director, Ford Sustainable Mobility Technologies and Hybrid Programs. “Ford is committed to improving fuel economy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions across its range of vehicles. As the second of our five announced hybrids, the Mariner Hybrid represents the next stage of this commitment.”

By 2008, Ford will have five hybrids on the road, including the Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner, Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Mazda Tribute Hybrids. By 2010, Ford plans to increase its global hybrid production to approximately 250,000 hybrid units annually.

Ford Motor Company has more than 150 patents from technological innovations developed for its hybrid program. Configured as a full hybrid, the Mercury Mariner Hybrid’s powertrain system is able to propel the vehicle to 25 miles per hour solely with clean electric power. When not required during coasting, at stoplights or crawling at low speeds through traffic, the gasoline engine automatically shuts down to conserve fuel and curb emissions.