SIERRA CLUB ANNOUNCES THREE-YEAR CAMPAIGN TO PRESSURE AUTOMAKERS TO IMPROVE FUEL ECONOMY

Detroit, MI - The Sierra Club today announced the launch of a three-year campaign to urge the "Big Three" automakers to improve the fuel economy of their vehicles.

"The American people want the choice to drive cars, trucks, and SUVs that go farther on a gallon of gas," said Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club. "It's time Detroit gave them what they want. The technology exists today to allow the automakers to continue offering their most popular models, but with significantly improved fuel economy. New, safe, fuel-saving SUVs and pickups could be on sale very soon."

The Sierra Club released just-completed public opinion research showing that consumers want automakers to offer cars and trucks with better fuel economy. Their reasons: to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil, save money at the gas pump and cut pollution.

The Sierra Club is targeting the Big Three automakers after Congress succumbed to a misleading campaign by the auto industry and voted not to raise fuel economy standards. "This campaign was created to correct the false impressions left by the automakers and to tell consumers that they can and should have the option of buying a safe, fuel-efficient car, SUV, or pickup truck," explained Pope.

The Sierra Club's campaign will urge consumers to ask auto dealers for a "Freedom Option Package," a set of fuel-saving components which could be added to most standard models, and which, taken together, could put the fleets of the Big Three on the road to 40 miles per gallon.

"Detroit wants to sell option packages featuring seat warmers and cup holders. What America needs is an option package that frees us from dependence on foreign oil, saves money at the pump, and cuts pollution," said Dan Becker, Director of Sierra Club's Clean Energy Program.

In addition, the campaign will mobilize the Club's 700,000 members across the country to hold events at local auto dealers, highlighting public demand for these fuel-saving technologies.

"I care about the auto industry, I care about my customers, and I care about the environment," said Chuck Frank, a prominent Chicago, IL Chevrolet dealer and long-time advocate of increased fuel economy. "My customers want to be able to keep buying their favorite models of cars and SUVs, but they want them to get more miles to the gallon. I'd like to give my customers what they want."

Television and radio ads, featuring former Senator and decorated Navy Seal Bob Kerrey, and retired Vice Admiral Jack Shanahan, Military Advisory Committee Chairman of truemajority.com, appeal to automakers to do their part to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil by manufacturing more fuel-efficient vehicles. Both men have distinguished records of military service, and, in the ads, they urge the auto industry to do its part to loosen the grip of oil-producing countries and help save American lives.

"We have every hope and confidence that the automakers can deliver what the American people want and need: cars, trucks, and SUVs that go farther on a gallon of gas, without sacrificing safety, comfort, and affordability," continued Pope. "We urge them to help lead the auto industry, and the country, into a new age."

Sample ad scripts to follow. To receive a copy of the ads, please contact Wendy Balazik at 202-675-2383.

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Sierra Club TV :60 "Bob Kerrey" June 3, 2002

Senator Bob Kerrey, Nebraska and former U.S. Navy Seal:

"We ask our young men and women to sacrifice their safety and perhaps their lives to fight the war against terrorism. Surely we can do something here at home to help. We all know that our dependency on imported oil is part of the problem and we know that increasing the fuel economy of the cars we drive is part of the solution.

"It's time for us to tell the auto industry that we want to break the grip of oil-producing countries and reduce our oil use. It's time to tell them to stop spending millions of dollars to kill federal legislation that would require them to make vehicles that get better gas mileage.

"The truth is we don't have to give up our pick-up trucks or SUVs. All we have to do is use existing technology and American know-how to make SUVs and pick-up trucks that go farther on a gallon of gas. Tell the automakers that on the morning of September 11, politics as usual became unacceptable. Tell them you're prepared to do your part by buying cars that save gas and the lives of America's Armed Forces."

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Sierra Club TV :60 "Vice Admiral Shanahan" June 3, 2002

Vice Admiral Jack Shanahan, U.S. Navy Second Fleet, Retired: "When I commanded the U.S. Second Fleet, I worried about threats that would put my sailors in harm's way, including the consequences of our dependence on foreign oil. We don't have to be vulnerable to oil-producing nations if we use technology to reduce our need for oil, by making vehicles that go farther on a gallon of gas.

"The automakers have the know-how. They also have the responsibility to help save oil and the lives of our Armed Forces."

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Sierra Club Radio :60 "Jack/Bill" June 3, 2002

(Woman Narrator:) "Retired Vice-Admiral Jack Shanahan."

(Vice-Admiral Shanahan:) "When I commanded the U.S. Second Fleet in the Atlantic, I worried about threats that would put my sailors in harm's way --including the consequences of our dependence on foreign oil. We don't have to be vulnerable to oil-producing nations -- if we use technology to reduce our need for oil by making vehicles that go farther on a gallon of gas.

"The automakers have the know-how. They also have the responsibility to help us save oil and the lives of America's armed forces."

(Woman Narrator:) "America needs cars that get better gas mileage. That's why we're asking Bill Ford -- head of the Ford Motor Company -- to do his part and to produce more fuel efficient cars, SUVs and pick up trucks. You can help too. Contact the Sierra Club at sierraclub.org/freedom to get our 'Freedom Package' -- a set of gas-saving options for your next car.

"It's time to tell Detroit that you want cars that save gas...and the lives of America's armed forces. A message from the members of the Sierra Club."