We do not normally cover 'celeb gets a free car' type stories on CompleteCar.ie but this one is a little bit special!
It would appear that Rudolph will not be guiding Santa's sleigh this year with the latest news from the North Pole that jolly old St. Nick has moved into the twenty-first century. With the environmental implications of his 200,237,360km annual journey and the rising cost of the carrots that fuel the reindeer weighing heavily on his mind, Father Christmas will this year switch to a Ford EcoBoost powered sleigh.
The new sleigh will allow Kris Kringle to drastically cut his reindeer created CO2 emissions and also slash up to 90 per cent from his fuel bill, which currently stands at a reported €150 million.
"They may look cute, but Santa's team of nine reindeer create a staggering 214,670 tons of CO2 equivalent emissions each year, so something had to be done to help him re-discover his greener roots," said Ford car designer Paul Wraith.
In addition to the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, Père Noël's new ride will also feature the latest in Ford technologies. Active Park Assist will make for easier reverse rooftop landings and the SYNC system will allow Santa Claus to control all the infotainment equipment with his voice leaving him to pick out the best landing spots. A new addition to the EcoMode will also give Santa something to aim for as the system in the sleigh has replaced the standard Ford flower symbol for that of a Christmas tree with more of the tree being illuminated the better Santa's green driving (or is that flying) performance is.
Understandably Santa himself was unavailable for comment but we did manage to grab a couple of words from Mrs Claus:
"I am not looking forward to telling Donner and Blitzen the news, but the polar bears in the North Pole will certainly welcome the Ford EcoBoost-powered sleigh. I would of course back anything that means my husband can get home that bit quicker. Getting presents delivered to all the good children each year in a shorter amount of time may even give him time to reconsider a few names on the naughty list. But I can't promise."
Ford is not resting on its laurels having pulled off the biggest coup in the 'Brand Ambassador' field as it is currently working on an electric powered sleigh that may finally see Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph put out to pasture for good.