Ford Motor Company Elects Wagner Vice President

* A 31-year Ford veteran, Wagner is currently President of Ford Credit North America * Has held a variety of sales positions at Ford Credit and Ford Motor Company

DEARBORN, Mich., May 17 -- Ford Motor Company today announced that its Board of Directors has elected AJ Wagner a vice president of the company, effective June 1.

Wagner is president of Ford Credit North America, which includes the lending business units for the Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, PRIMUS and Volvo brands as well as Commercial Lending Services. He reports to Mike Bannister, chairman and chief executive officer, Ford Motor Credit Company.

"AJ has outstanding dealer relationships that serve Ford Credit well," said Bill Ford, chairman and chief executive officer, Ford Motor Company. "He has been instrumental in helping to re-focus Ford Credit on its mission of supporting the sale of Ford Motor Company vehicles worldwide."

In his current role, Wagner, 53, oversees all sales and marketing functions of Ford Credit in the U.S. and Canada, which account for 78 percent of its receivables. Wagner began his career at Ford Credit in 1973 and has held numerous positions in Leasing, Marketing, Dealer Credit, Operations Services, Field Operations and Strategic Planning. He also has served in sales capacities at Ford Motor Company for Ford Division.

Wagner has a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Wisconsin and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Detroit.

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With more than 327,000 employees worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Credit, Quality Care and Hertz. Ford Motor Company celebrated its 100th anniversary on June 16, 2003.