ICCR members applaud today’s commitment by the Ford Motor Company to increase annual production of hybrid vehicles to 250,000 by 2010. “This is a tremendous step for Ford in their evolving strategy to address fuel and energy efficiency. These commitments have the potential to turnaround the viability of the US auto industry” noted Dominican Sister Patricia Daly, OP, Executive Director of the Tri-State Coalition for Responsible Investment. “We congratulate the company for this ‘break-through moment’ with a commitment for exponential increase of hybrid production; this in the face of serious financial parameters is a sign of true leadership” said Margaret Weber, director of the Adrian Michigan Dominican Portfolio Board. “This is yet another step of leadership in the broader agenda of sustainability which includes their commitments to human rights globally” commented Sister Mary Ellen Gondeck, SSJ, coordinator of the Office of Social Justice of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth in Michigan.

Ford today has announced:

• 10 fold increase in the production of Hybrid vehicles across 50% of their model line-up by model year 2010
• Promotion of the use of flex fuels (ethanol) in their vehicles as a step towards greater use of more sustainable bio-duels
• Implementation of a pilot program of carbon offsets, anticipating offsets of 1.5 tons per hybrid vehicle construction, along with a campaign to encourage consumers to use offsets for vehicle use.

Since 1997 ICCR Members have been working to place global warming on Ford’s agenda. Over the past four years ICCR investors have been effectively working with Ford executives on human rights issues, international labor standards, programs responding to the HIV AIDs pandemic in Africa, and energy efficiency.

www.ford.com