LOS ANGELES – The red-carpet arrivals at the 80th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 24, will be transformed with advanced technology vehicles from GMC and Chevrolet, according to the automakers.

This fuel-friendly fleet will enable Hollywood’s hottest talent to enjoy stylish and environmentally friendly vehicles in one of more than 75 vehicles, including the GMC Yukon Hybrid, the zero-gas and zero-emissions Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell and the FlexFuel E-85 ethanol-compatible GMC Yukon.

As the only ABC Network automotive sponsor of the 2008 Oscar telecast, GMC and Chevrolet will bring hybrid and fuel cell technology to the forefront at the red carpet, and other Oscar Week events. The fleet continues GM’s major strategic effort to provide “fuel-friendly” vehicles to the entertainment industry and spread the word about GM’s environmentally-conscious cars, trucks and SUVs.

“GM’s longstanding relationship with Hollywood and our strong commitment to bringing advanced technologies to market that will help diversify fuel sources and reduce vehicle emissions makes this the perfect time for GM to drive ‘green’ to the Oscars,” said Dino Bernacchi, GM director of marketing alliances and branded entertainment. “Our outreach to showcase GM’s ‘fuel-friendly’ products will be increasingly evident in the entertainment industry in 2008 with presence at awards shows, film festivals and special events, as well as a heightened product placement effort in movies and television.”This year’s Oscars will be the first major awards show where a fleet of fuel cell vehicles will provide transportation for celebrities.

The Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell electric vehicle is a zero-gas, zero-emissions vehicle that makes no compromises, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 12 seconds, 236-lb.-ft. of instant torque and top speed of about 100 miles per hour. It seats four, sports 32 cubic feet of cargo volume for everybody’s gear, and has a range of approximately 150 miles per fill-up based on the new 2008 EPA adjusted measurement. The Equinox Fuel Cell also features full four-wheel ABS for controlled, confident stopping.

In addition to the GMC Yukon Hybrid and Chevy Fuel Cell Equinox, a select number of FlexFuel E-85 ethanol-compatible Yukon SUVs will drive to the red carpet. Biofuels such as E-85 ethanol have tremendous potential to help offset the world’s growing energy demands, and General Motors offers more FlexFuel E-85 ethanol-capable models than any other brand, with 2.5 million FlexFuel E-85 ethanol vehicles currently on the road. FlexFuel E-85 ethanol vehicles can run on either gasoline or E85 ethanol – a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline – or a combination of both.