By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Campbell Ford has once again stepped in to help the City of Niles with the purchase of a new vehicle.
Recently, the Utilities Department purchased a 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid, which will not only save the department money on gas, but the vehicle is also environment friendly.
"We needed a vehicle of this size so that we could put all of our work materials in the back. We also wanted something that would save us money," said Jim Lehmkuhl, Utilities Manager for the City.
Thanks to its electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (eCVT), the Escape Hybrid is the first full-hybrid SUV and is the most fuel efficient vehicle on the planet as it gets an EPA-estimated 34 miles per gallon.
According to Doug Campbell, President of Campbell Ford, the hybrid is a very highly regulated vehicle and is very hard to get.
"We only get about three or four a year," he said.
Though they are hard to get, Campbell said he wanted to do what he could to help support the Niles community.
"Campbell has always helped us with the purchase of vehicles. We are given funds through the state program and what Campbell does is match that price. This gives us a chance to buy locally and keep the money in the community," Lehmkuhl said.
The city purchased the vehicle for $10,544.