October 23, 2008
Six Dealers Chosen for Plug-In Hybrid Sales
Fitzgerald Auto Malls has
been selected as one of only six car dealers in the US to offer exclusive Hymotion L5
Plug-In Prius Conversion Modules from A123Systems. These modules allow the
dealership to convert Prius hybrid vehicles into plug-in hybrids capable of
150+ MPG.
“We are excited to offer our customers more options to help
moderate the effects of high fuel costs,” says Fitzgerald Auto Malls Chairman
and Founder Jack Fitzgerald. “The Hymotion Plug-in conversion option is one of
the latest and best options I’ve seen come along. Alternative fuel vehicles and
increasing the fuel efficiency of automobiles are the future of the industry.”
A123Systems officially announced that Fitzgerald Auto Malls
was selected as a Certified Hymotion Installation Partner (CHIP) in June
2008. There’s been tremendous customer response. “The (Hymotion)
pack is doing great,” says A123 conversion customer Jay Groh. “I can constantly
get 200+MPG or more on my normal commute to work and back. Of course my
commute to work is about 11 miles so that helps out a lot.”
The first six Green CHIP dealers are:
Boston:
Westboro Toyota
Washington,
DC: Fitzgerald’s
Lakeforest Toyota
Minneapolis:
Denny Hecker Automotive Group
Denver:
Burt’s Hybrid Conversion
San Francisco:
Green Gears/Pat’s Garage
Seattle:
Green Car Company
In April, A123Sytems attended the Fitzgerald Auto Malls’
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Expo in Gaithersburg,
MD.
At this exclusive event
A123Systems representatives showcased a Hymotion plug-in hybrid electric
vehicle (PHEV) and received a great response from local and state
representatives, as well as customers.
In May 2007, Fitzgerald Auto Malls’ Maryland
dealerships became the first automobile dealerships in America to
become “Green Power Partners” with the United States Environmental Protection
Agency.
In addition to adopting alternative power, Fitzgerald
also employs an ambitious recycling program that re-uses over 64% of waste
generated by the company. Salvaging metal, tires, oil, batteries, antifreeze
and transmission fluid, Fitzgerald recycled over 4 million pounds of waste in
2007. Most recently, Fitzgerald became the first automotive dealership
group to achieve ISO 14001certification for their proprietary Quality
Environmental Management System.