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For those dreaming of driving a nearly $100,000 vehicle, there may be a small chance to get a glimpse of such a vehicle locally.
The gift of a 2023 Lincoln Aviator, resented by Peach Automotive of Brewton, will allow automotive students at Escambia Career Readiness Center to learn the latest automobile technology with the hybrid vehicle.
Instructor for the automotive program, Thomas Fisher, said the gift would be instrumental in furthering the knowledge of his students.
“We are grateful to Peach Automotive for this,” Fisher said. “This will enable our students to get to the next level and get them ready to work.”
Fisher said the gift is unheard of for most programs like his.
“We’re a high school class,” Fisher said. “This just doesn’t happen, especially with a new vehicle.”
The vehicle is part of a partnership with Peach Automotive who accepted the vehicle to make available for teaching purposes.
Hal Whitman, representing Peach with the gift presentation, said the contribution to the program will be important for the future of automotive care and repair.
“This partnership is possible because of Ford Motor Company and Peach Ford,” Whitman said. “This is a plug-in hybrid vehicle and has all of the advanced technology. This will allow students to learn, hands-on, about the newest technology and allow them to prepare for work after school in the industry.”
Whitman said the vehicle carried a sticker price of $93,570 when new.
“This vehicle has never been owned,” Whitman said. “It was a flood vehicle that was given to us with the stipulation that we have it in working order and running before donating to the program. That did take some work since everything was wet, inside and under the hood. We put some time and money into getting this ready for the students, but we know it will be worth the effort.”
Escambia County School Superintendent Michelle Collier and Brewton City School Board President Ann Peach were also on hand for the presentation to the program. Students from Escambia County Schools and T.R. Miller participate in the programs offered at the Escambia Career Readiness Center.
Fisher said the vehicle would be useful since the program already has a focus on Ford training. The program will maintain their access to dealership-level curriculum in the class room that will allow students to train for work following their completion of the program.