UPDATE: Ford, Zipcar Bring Future of Transportation to Newest Generation of Drivers at U.S. Universities

Ford Motor Company

and Zipcar, Inc.

today announced a new strategic alliance establishing Ford as Zipcar's largest university vehicle partner, reaching students at more than 250 U.S. campuses. The first-of-its-kind, two-year tie-up introduces a new generation of drivers to Ford vehicles with the highly fuel-efficient Focus and Escape now part of Zipcar's existing fleet of environmentally friendly, reliable and fun vehicles. Zipcar will add up to 650 Fords to its lineup during this academic year and up to 1,000 Ford vehicles during the life of the agreement. "Today's students are thinking differently about driving and transportation than they have in the past," said Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company. "This program enables today's new drivers to experience our latest fuel-efficient vehicles, while helping them reduce their cost of living and help relieve congestion on campus. We're looking forward to making Ford a staple of their college experience." Thanks to Ford, Zipcar will offer $10 off the $35 annual membership fee for the first 100,000 new University members who sign up for Zipcar, plus $1 off the hourly rate for the first 1 million hours of use on any of the new Ford vehicles at select colleges and universities. New Ford vehicles start arriving on campuses this week. The program, which could generate 2 million hours behind the wheel of Ford vehicles for college-age drivers, also helps reduce parking demand, congestion and emissions. The new generation of Ford vehicles, especially the all-new Ford Focus, is a good match for Zipcar's environmentally minded student members who demand high fuel efficiency and value performance and style balanced with reliability and utility. The stylish new Focus delivers 40 mpg on the highway plus leading new technologies such as Ford SYNC® – all important attributes to today's smart, environmentally minded college students.