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Grilling one hamburger emits more hydrocarbon emissions than a Focus PZEV would on a 3 hour drive

All 2007 Ford Focus models sold in California with the 2.0-liter Duratec 20E engine will now bear a new Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) badge on the rear of each car to help educate the public about Ford’s clean air choices. The 2.0-liter Duratec 20E engine accounts for approximately 97 percent of Focus sales in the state.

“A majority of the public is under the impression that hybrids are the only answer to a cleaner environment and high gas prices,” said Hal Dewsnap, General Manager of Ford Lincoln Mercury California Market, “yet the Focus is a smart alternative because it meets the same PZEV emissions standard as the best hybrids such as our Ford Escape Hybrid, it delivers great fuel-economy and it is very affordable.”

A vehicle must meet three stringent criteria set by the California Air Resources Board to be PZEV-certified: Its tailpipe emissions must meet the Super Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV) standard, which is over 80% cleaner with respect to smog-forming emissions than the average 2007 model year vehicle; it must produce zero gasoline evaporative emissions, virtually eliminating the escape of fuel vapor from the vehicle’s fuel system — a major source of smog-forming emissions; and the manufacturer must provide warranty coverage to ensure that the vehicle will meet PZEV requirements for an extended lifetime of 15 years or 150,000 miles.

“Hybrids are widely recognized by the public, but not all hybrids meet PZEV standards, and some non-hybrid PZEV vehicles such as the Ford Focus are consequently cleaner,” said Jerry Martin, Director of Communications for the California Air Resources Board. “PZEV-certified vehicles are the cleanest mass-produced vehicles available and represent the most attainable avenue to improve air quality because they are generally more affordable. It is encouraging to see Ford take this step in raising the level of awareness of its benefits.”

The Focus’ badge will feature Ford’s “green-leaf highway” icon followed by the prominent letters PZEV over the words “Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle.” This resembles the badge on Ford’s hybrid vehicles and reinforces that the Focus is a “green” car that meets tailpipe and evaporative emissions standards equivalent to the best hybrid vehicles.

“Our ‘road and leaf’ logo is a status symbol for Ford hybrid owners, and we are confident that it will also be a badge of pride for Ford Focus owners who can point to the wisdom of their purchase decision,” stated Dewsnap. “It’s not just about selling more Focus models. The PZEV badge says its owner is making a significant contribution to reducing emissions. As the PZEV badge appears on thousands of Focuses across the state, we also hope to raise public awareness of what PZEV is and why it should be sought out by consumers. We offer PZEV on other cars, including the 4-cylinder automatic transmission models of the new Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, but the Focus is our highest volume PZEV car and we have chosen it as a billboard to raise awareness of PZEV.”

The PZEV Focus has a base price of $14,075 and comes in four body styles to fit differing lifestyles: three-door or five-door hatchback, sedan and wagon. It features a super-clean 130-horsepower engine that is cleaner and more fuel-efficient than some of the competition’s hybrid gas-electric vehicles. For further peace of mind, the 2007 Ford Focus comes standard with a 5 year/100,000 mile powertrain Extended Service Plan warranty in addition to the 15 year/150,000 mile warranty on its emissions system.

The California Air Resources Board estimates there are roughly 500,000 certified PZEV’s on California roads today. Ford has sold 90,000 Focus PZEVs in California since its debut in 2003.

PZEV Facts

* Grilling one hamburger emits more hydrocarbon emissions than a Focus PZEV would on a three hour drive (about 180 miles).

* A Focus PZEV would have to be driven more than 2,100 miles, or five trips between Los Angeles and San Francisco, to equal the emissions produced by the leading 5.4 horsepower lawn mower in just one hour of use.

* The Focus PZEV is so clean, it would take 330 of them running at the same time to equal the smog-forming emissions of one typical 1971 car, the first California emission controlled vehicle.

Focus Value

* Ford Focus PZEV produces the same low level of smog-forming emissions as the top selling hybrid car for about half the price.

* Ford Focus PZEV is the only vehicle of its kind with fuel economy of up to 37 miles per gallon and a 5 year/100,000 mile powertrain Extended Service Plan standard.

* The 2007 PZEV 2.0-liter manual transmission Focus increased its estimated highway fuel-economy by 3 miles per gallon over the 2006 model.

* Ford Motor Company is the PZEV leader in California, offering the most models with PZEV certification, including vehicles from Ford, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda.