National Press Release

EcoDrivingUSA Offers Three Easy Tips to Reduce Carbon Emissions and Fuel Use

WASHINGTON, June 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- One-third of travel for the year takes place during summer and more than three-quarters of those trips are taken by automobile, truck or RV. This summer, EcoDrivingUSA, an educational program sponsored by the Auto Alliance, is encouraging drivers to take three simple steps to improve their fuel-efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint.

Practicing EcoDriving produces the highest mileage from every single vehicle--regardless of size or age--and can reduce gas use and carbon emissions significantly by as much as 15 percent or more. This summer, EcoDriving is highlighting three easy EcoDriving tips that can help many Americans start driving green:

    --  Turn the engine off when waiting at a curb to save more than half a
        gallon of fuel for every hour that would have been spent idling.

    --  Tire pressure changes an average of one PSI for every 10 degrees
        Fahrenheit change in temperature, so maintaining proper tire pressure
        can improve gas mileage by about 3 percent. This can earn drivers a free
        tank of gas every year.

    --  Avoid rapid starts and stops. This is not only safe, but it can save
        more than $1 per gallon, according to the U.S. EPA. While improving fuel
        economy by up to 33 percent.

During summer driving months, gas prices tend to rise, but green driving can lessen the impact. (See AAA's daily report on gas prices at www.fuelgaugereport.com). The Auto Alliance and its 11 global automakers are working to educate consumers through www.EcoDrivingUSA.com. The site features a full list of EcoDriving tips, a video guide to EcoDriving, and a variety of educational tools, including the all new EcoDriving Quiz.

EcoDrivingUSA was launched in August 2008 with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA), Governor Bill Ritter (D-CO), the Environmental Defense Fund and the Auto Alliance. Since then, the governors of five additional states and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg have announced their support for the program. EcoDrivingUSA continues to grow: 20 organizations now partner with EcoDrivingUSA.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is a trade association of 11 car and light truck manufacturers including BMW Group, Chrysler, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, Toyota and Volkswagen. For more information, visit the Alliance Web site at www.autoalliance.org.

CONTACT: Wade Newton of The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, +1-202-326-5571

SOURCE The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers