Automotive Department Acquires Prius

April 16, 2010

The Santa Fe Automotive Department recently acquired a 2008 Toyota Prius hybrid vehicle for use in their program. The vehicle was purchased with funds from an equipment endowment funded by former Gainesville car dealer and Santa Fe benefactor Charles L. Blount.

The car was acquired with the help of Ray Carr, owner of Carrsmith Auto Sales and Repair and long-time supporter of the SF Automotive Department.

The Prius will be used to train automotive students in the safe handling, proper maintenance, diagnosis, and repair of hybrid vehicles. Because hybrid vehicles use high voltage batteries and other specialized technologies, they require special training and handling.

The vehicle allows the Automotive Department to keep its curriculum current and offer training in the latest technologies.

~submitted by Mario Schwarz, Professor, Automotive Technology