Ford President of The Americas Mark Fields to Serve as Keynote Speaker at LA Auto Show Media Days

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 13, 2005 -- Recently appointed President of The Americas for Ford Motor Company, Mark Fields will deliver the Motor Press Guild (MPG) keynote address on January 4, 2006, at the Los Angeles Auto Show. This will mark the official start of the LA Auto Show, which opens its doors to the media January 4-5 and to the public on January 6-15. The MPG breakfast and Fields' presentation are open to all media days' attendees.

"We are honored to have Mark, with his extensive automotive industry experience and expertise, as our keynote speaker at the MPG breakfast for this year's opening of the LA Auto Show," said John Rettie, president of MPG. "Mark was instrumental in leading the revival of Mazda and he is credited with helping to drive Ford Motor Company's growth. Many people will be listening closely as Mark offers his insights."

As executive vice president and president of The Americas, a position he assumed in October 2005, Fields is responsible for all operations involved in the development, manufacturing, marketing and sales of Ford, Mercury and Lincoln vehicles in the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America. Formerly, Fields served as executive vice president of Ford of Europe and Premier Automotive Group, where he led all activities for Ford's premium vehicle business group, and for Ford-brand vehicles manufactured and sold in European countries. For 2000-2002, he was President and CEO of Mazda Motor Company.

MPG is a Los Angeles-based non-profit professional association with more than 750 members across the country. Members include journalists, media professionals and public relations representatives from throughout the automotive profession.

Following the MPG presentation, the LA Auto Show will host two full days of automaker news conferences. Automobile executives from around the world will be present to conduct more than two dozen World and North American car and truck debuts.

Other big news is that this is the last January LA Auto Show before moving to November 2006. The new dates address a longstanding appeal from the automotive industry for the LA Auto Show to have its own time period away from other large auto shows and to avoid the Christmas and New Year holidays. Automakers are planning to make the most of the new show dates by introducing an expanded lineup of new models and concepts in Los Angeles.