FordDirect to Develop DealerDirect Website for Lincoln Mercury Dealers

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 31, 2004 -- FordDirect announces it is currently developing a DealerDirect website for Lincoln Mercury Division that will provide the functionality of the FordDirect.com website for the Lincoln Mercury brands. The announcement was made by FordDirect President Steve St. Andre today at the NADA Convention in Las Vegas, Nev.

"We are pleased to be expanding our partnership with Lincoln Mercury dealers and the division to offer additional sales opportunities for the brand," St. Andre said. "Lincoln and Mercury consumers will also benefit by getting access to the most accurate vehicle information available, including the only web destination to host a complete view of dealers' on-the-ground inventory."

The DealerDirect website will be launched in the first quarter of this year. Demonstrations of the new website will be given to dealers at the FordDirect/DealerDirect display in the Ford Motor Company exhibit at NADA. The site will allow consumers to build and price vehicles, compare vehicles, view dealers' inventory, send requests for price quotes to their local dealer and much more.

"Lincoln Mercury has seen the success of the FordDirect.com site with the more than 180,000 vehicle sales generated last year and we wanted to give our dealers the same advantage," said John Fitzpatrick, General Marketing Manager, Lincoln Mercury Division. "We're looking forward to the launch of the website and the benefits it will bring to our dealers and Lincoln Mercury consumers."

FordDirect.com is a joint venture between Ford Motor Company and its Ford franchised dealers to provide information and online vehicle sales services directly to consumers. It is the only dealer-manufacturer partnership in the industry. FordDirect allows consumers to choose, customize and locate new and pre-owned vehicles using fast, secure and easy-to-use Internet technology. Through the company's services, FordDirect dealers sold more than 180,000 vehicles in 2003. Launched in August 2000, FordDirect has more than 3,900 member dealers located in all 50 states. FordDirect.com is headquartered in Dearborn, Mich.