Fusion Hybrid And Mark Malkoff Set Off On Road Trip To Earn City Keys

Press release
Source: Ford

DEARBORN, Mich.,– The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid made news in April when it set a world record traveling 1,445 miles on a single tank of gas. The vehicle embarks on yet another incredible journey this week, accompanying comedian Mark Malkoff on an action-packed 28-day quest to see how many mayors east of the Mississippi Malkoff can convince to give him keys to their cities.

"Mark came to us with the idea, and we loved it," said Jeffrey Eggen, manager, Ford Car Experiential Marketing. "It fits in well with our strategy to raise awareness of our new Ford vehicles by getting real customers behind the wheel and letting them tell their own story."

Malkoff – who has made news before for doing unusual things like living and sleeping in an IKEA store for a week while his apartment was being fumigated – will have quite a story to tell, and he says he's thrilled to be partnered with the new Ford Fusion Hybrid.

2010 Ford Fusion and Comedian Mark Malkoff

"I always tell people I feel like I'm driving KITT from 'Knight Rider' because of all the cool technology in the car," said Malkoff. "It's the best car I've ever driven."

All of Malkoff's adventures behind the wheel of the Fusion Hybrid will be chronicled in cyberspace. Videos, photos and blogs will be featured daily at www.markmalkoff.com/keystothecity, and Malkoff will provide interested followers with regular updates on social networking sites such as Twitter, Flickr and Facebook.

"Mark will be connected and working constantly with both hands securely on the wheel, thanks to the Fusion Hybrid's voice-activated Ford SYNC® communication system," said Eggen. "It also will be great to see Mark's reaction to his own real-world fuel economy."

Malkoff is sure to be impressed. The Fusion Hybrid is America's most fuel-efficient midsize sedan, boasting EPA-estimated 41 mpg in the city. The vehicle also features an electrical outlet.

"I'll be able to charge all of my equipment without ever leaving the car," said Malkoff.

Malkoff and the Ford Fusion Hybrid began their odyssey into the unknown Monday in Harrisburg, Pa., where the mayor had a somewhat peculiar task in store for him to complete in order to earn a key to the city.

"Apparently, all of the police officers ride on horses, so the mayor wanted me to follow them around and clean up after the horses in order to get the key," chuckled Malkoff, who readily admits he will do just about anything to get a key. "In Fairfax, Virginia, they want me to climb into their town fountain, collect all of the coins and donate them to charity because no one else wants to do it."

Malkoff says he hopes to earn 100 keys before his journey with the Ford Fusion Hybrid ends on Nov. 1.

"Once people start finding out about this, mayors from all over the country are going to be Twittering me to come to their cities," he said. "I like doing things that on paper look almost impossible to pull off."