The Manitoba Motor Dealers Association (MMDA) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) are pleased to announce the launch of a joint pilot project that encourages the marketing of fuel-efficient vehicles and other fuel-saving initiatives to Manitobans.
The project, which will run until May 31, targets automobile drivers who visit MMDA dealerships and involves 5,000 Manitoba automobile dealership employees. The campaign has as its theme, "Reduce your fuel consumption, save money and protect the environment." It has the following goals:
- increase consumer awareness of the availability of fuel-efficient vehicles;
- make consumers more aware of how maintenance and driving habits affect fuel use, greenhouse gases and other emissions;
- encourage use of the EnerGuide label and Fuel Consumption Guide at the dealership level; and
- raise consumer interest and traffic at Manitoba's new car dealerships.
"The Government of Canada and its partners in the automotive industry support programs like the EnerGuide for Vehicles Program that help increase awareness of the importance of fuel-efficient vehicles and reducing greenhouse gas emissions," said the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources. "This pilot program in Manitoba will help consumers stay informed about fuel efficiency when choosing a new vehicle or maintaining an old one."
"MMDA is proud to take part in this initiative to promote fuel efficiency practices to industry consumers. This is another example of MMDA dealer members striving to be good corporate citizens," said the association's Executive Director, Shirley Canty.
The project, in which NRCan has invested $90,000, will leverage community involvement to help local MMDA automobile dealers promote fuel savings in their community and encourage dealerships to use the EnerGuide label. MMDA represents more than 120 new car dealerships that sell approximately 40,000 new vehicles and an estimated 150,000 used vehicles a year in Manitoba. The timing of this project coincides with their busiest months for business -- March, April and May.
The project is delivered in partnership with NRCan's Office of Energy Efficiency.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
The Manitoba Motor Dealers Association and Natural Resources Canada have joined forces to help increase consumer awareness of the importance of fuel-efficient vehicles, other fuel-saving initiatives and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The joint pilot project will run until May 31, 2006.
For more information, media may contact:
Ghyslain Charron
Media Relations
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
(613) 992-4447
Emma Welford
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Natural Resources Canada
Ottawa
(613) 996-2007
Shirley Canty, CAE
Executive Director
Manitoba Motor Dealers Association
Winnipeg
(204) 985-4200