Mazda Donates Tribute Hybrids To The Los Angeles Fire Department

Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) donated five clean-burning, fuel-efficient Tribute Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) today at a ceremony at Fire Station 27 in Hollywood. The vehicles are prototypes of Mazda's Tribute compact SUV and are part of 30 total Tribute Hybrid SUVs that Mazda will loan to fire agencies across Southern California.

The Tribute HEVs, branded with the familiar LAFD badge, will be driven by LAFD staff in various assignments throughout Los Angeles County. They will mainly be used for non-emergency functions, such as travel to fire safety inspections, educational programs and fire station maintenance activities.

"We wanted to give something back to the community with these Tribute Hybrid SUVs," said Jay Amestoy, MNAO's vice president of public and government affairs. " Southern California firefighters are among the best in the country, and we're proud to have them in our backyard. These men and women demonstrate courage, strength and wisdom on a daily basis to protect the people who live in Los Angeles and it is a privilege for us to be able to partially repay their courageous efforts with the two-year loan of these Tribute HEVs."

Other fire departments in Orange County, Corona, San Bernardino, San Diego and Riverside also will receive the environmentally responsible Tribute HEV prototypes, courtesy of Mazda.

William Bamattre, LAFD Fire Chief, Los Angeles Councilman Tom LaBonge and several firefighters were on-hand today to receive their Tribute Hybrids.

"We are so grateful to Mazda for their generous loan of these four-wheel-drive Tribute HEV prototypes," said Chief Bamattre. "What makes this such a significant gesture by Mazda is that these are clean, fuel-efficient SUVs, which means we will reduce our operating costs while contributing to a healthier environment."

Putting Tribute HEV prototypes into the hands of the Southland fire agencies also benefits Mazda. Although the company doesn't currently sell the Tribute HEV to customers, the varied driving conditions these vehicles will be put through, as well as the input on on-road performance received from the fire agencies, will be valuable as Mazda moves toward full production of an HEV.

Mazda Tribute HEV is 99.4 percent cleaner, on average, than an unregulated vehicle, yet still delivers the performance required by SUV owners. With a combined horsepower output of 155, this Tribute HEV provides plenty of power yet meets strict Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEVII) and Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) standards in California - the strictest emission regulations a gasoline-fueled vehicle can meet.

Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario, Canada, and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.