Ford Delivers First Fuel Cell Cars to Vancouver Fuel Cell Vehicle Program

When asked if Mayor Campbell will be driving one of Ford's new Focus FCVs personally, he responded, "Oh no, I won't be

Mayor Campbell says that drivers must be specially trained to drive the Focus FCVs, so he won't be giving up his smart car just yet. (Photo: Gerry Frechette, Canadian Auto Press)

driving it personally, you have to be specially trained to drive it, and I'm not giving up my smart car. It'll be used by our city staff, probably in a variety of situations.

When asked when he got his new smart car, Mayor Campbell said, "It's about two months now, I had the Prius hybrid before that; and I'll tell you I would have had the Ford SUV hybrid (Escape Hybrid) had it been available when we were in the process.

"This has been a tremendously exciting week in Vancouver," continued Campbell, "because with this (Ford's Focus FCV) and

Also on hand for the presentation was President and CEO of Ford of Canada, Joe Hinrichs. (Photo: Gerry Frechette, Canadian Auto Press)

biodiesel, which just passed its task force report, we're on the cutting edge, and when the Olympics arrive here (2010) you're going to see one hell of a project, and one hell of a city, because we're building it right in, with the provincial government, the municipal, the feds; I mean, I love the comment by Minister Owen, 'We either do this or we choke together.' That really stuck with me."

Ford's five Focus FCVs were delivered to the Vancouver Fuel Cell Vehicle Program by Dr. Gerhard Schmidt, Vice-President, Research and Advanced Engineering, Ford Motor Company.