10.5 Million Alternative Fuel Autos on Roads Today 
Consumers are Discovering the Alternatives: 2006 Sales of Alternative Fuel
            Autos Exceed Automakers' Expectations by 50 Percent

    WASHINGTON, March 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Automakers kicked off National
Alternative Fuel Autos Week by announcing that there are 10.5 million
Alternative Fuel Autos on the nation's roads today, according to 2006 sales
data from R.L. Polk and Co.
    The Polk sales figures also reveal that an unprecedented 1.5 million
Alternative Fuel Autos were sold in 2006, surpassing automakers' sales
expectations by 50 percent. Currently manufacturers are offering 60 models
of Alternative Fuel Automobiles for sale including hybrid electric,
ethanol- capable E-85, and clean diesel, up from just 12 models for sale in
2000. A complete list of available autos can be found at
http://www.DiscoverAlternatives.com.
    "There are 10.5 million Alternative Fuel Autos on the roads and
highways of every state across the country. We are happy to see that
consumers are, in fact, discovering the alternatives that are available to
them on dealership lots nationwide," said Dave McCurdy, president of the
Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. "We believe that the numbers of
Alternative Fuel Autos on the roads continue to rise because consumers can
choose from a variety of autos that reduce fuel use while still providing
the utility, safety, performance and comfort they seek."
    In addition to the 60 Alternative Fuel Autos currently being offered,
auto engineers are working to include a diverse range of highly
fuel-efficient technologies in new vehicles. Today, every model for sale is
available with some kind of fuel-efficient technology, such as fuel
injectors, four-cylinder engines, variable valve timing, continuously
variable transmissions, cylinder deactivation and more.
    Automakers are also working with the energy industry to develop a range
of alternative fuels capable of sustaining mobility while ensuring more
secure energy sources. In fact, Alliance members have forged more than 25
partnerships, joint ventures or research and development projects with
energy producers to expand the fueling infrastructure for fuels such as
ethanol, biomass and hydrogen. Automakers are also working with the
government, fuel providers and fuel retailers to help grow the E-85 ethanol
fueling infrastructure. Since mid-2005, the industry has helped add 200
fueling stations in 13 states.
    McCurdy added, "Having exceeded our sales expectations in 2006, we hope
that 2007 will be another banner year for sales of Alternative Fuel Autos.
This year marks the first-ever National Alternative Fuel Autos Week and
automakers hope to draw more attention to the availability of these autos
currently for sale."
    The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is a trade association of 9
car and light truck manufacturers including BMW Group, DaimlerChrysler,
Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Mazda, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche,
Toyota and Volkswagen. For more information on advanced fuel-savings
technology, visit the Alliance website at http://www.autoalliance.org.
    CONTACT: Monica Sakala, (202) 326-5586
      

        

          
 
          
SOURCE Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers