Ford Motors Announces program To help Dealers Cut Energy Consumption

Ford Motor Company is launching a voluntary sustainability initiative for Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers to reduce their carbon footprint and improve the energy-efficiency of their dealerships. Ford has partnered with Rocky Mountain Institute, a leading energy-efficiency organization to pilot new technologies and architectural design principles, at three dealerships in diverse climates

The ‘Go Green’ dealer sustainability initiative is fully integrated into the company’s existing architecture to provide dealers with the ability to improve energy efficiency and lower operating costs

The goal of the program is simple: Collaborate with dealers to implement cost-effective ways to improve the energy-efficiency of their facilities, resulting in a long-term reduction in individual dealership’s carbon footprint as well as overall operating costs. Participation in the ‘Go Green’ Dealership Sustainability Program is voluntary for dealers.

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“In keeping with Ford’s commitment to the environment, this program is a great fit for our dealers because it provides a variety of energy-efficient improvement options regardless of the current age and design of the facility,” says Sue Cischke, group vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. “This allows all dealers the opportunity to participate in improving the energy efficiency of their facility and gives them flexibility in making choices that are right for them and their dealership.”

One Ford dealer in Florida- Brian Jarrett expects to cut his monthly energy bill by 80% by adopting all of the recommendations from the new energy-efficiency program.Jarrett is planing to invest about $500,000 to change the 1,000-watt exterior light bulbs on his lot to 175-watt LED bulbs. He also plans to install energy efficient interior lights, light sensors and low-flow toilets.

"I'm doing everything I can do to become green,"said Jarrett, president of Jarrett Gordon Ford in Davenport, Fla. Jarrett is one of three dealers participating in a Ford pilot program to improve energy efficiency.While Jarrett is aggressively adopting every
recommendation, Cischke said most dealers would likely see at least a 20% energy reduction
from the program.