California's Best-Selling Trucks, Ford F-Series, Take Center Stage at California State Fair

SACRAMENTO, Aug. 11 -- Today Ford opens its not-to-be-missed 7,000-square-foot display featuring a Ford F-150 SuperCrew -- California's best selling truck model -- on top of a 45-foot "Tower of Power" that greets fairgoers attending the 2006 California State Fair.

This exhibit, which will dominate the skyline for the Fair's three and a half-week run, proudly tells the world, "We are California's favorite truck." The Ford exhibit is located in the heart of the Fair, adjacent to the main carousel and open air concert venue.

"We have Number One placement for the Number One truck," stated Hal Dewsnap, General Manager of Ford Lincoln Mercury California Market, "and our interactive exhibits and competitive events will enable fairgoers to see our product strengths in a unique 'hands-on' fashion that is memorable and fun for everyone."

The interactive Ford exhibit presents many features of Ford's popular line of pickups, cars and sport utility vehicles. Included in these activities are the F-150 Football count challenge, the Frame Game which highlights the best- in-class frame strength of the F-150, and a bag toss to test the payload capacity of the Ford Super Duty.

Ford F-Series is the culmination of more than 55 years of "Built Ford Tough" reliability, power and presence that, to many around the world, represents an icon of American spirit. These trucks have consistently set the industry standard for toughness, strength, safety, interior spaciousness, refinement, driving dynamics, functionality, cargo capacity, comfort and style. For example, the 2007 F-150's maximum tow rating is up 600 lbs. to a class-leading 10,500 lbs., and its best-in-class maximum payload is 3,050 lbs.

Ford, which has been gaining share in the full-size pickup truck segment in 2006 both nationally and especially in California, is on the road to its 30th consecutive year of nationwide leadership and 13th year as Number One in California. F-Series retail sales in California through June, 2006 totaled 78,046. This is the best selling truck in the state, exceeding the second- place truck brand by more than 16,000. And, the F-Series lead is growing, from a 30 percent lead in 2005 to a 32 percent lead in 2006 versus the number two brand. This expanding lead is attributable in part to Ford's continuing introduction of new models, such as the highly-anticipated 2007 Ford Harley- Davidson(TM) SuperCrew that will be on display at the Fair.

Fairgoers also have the opportunity to learn more about the Ford Fusion, California's fastest-growing car; the Ford Mustang, California's perennial favorite sports car; and the Ford Escape Hybrid, America's first and most fuel efficient hybrid SUV. And, they will see for the first time the Ford Explorer EL, an all-new segment entry that raises the bar for those wanting the combined space, comfort and towing capacity of a large SUV. The Expedition EL adds 14.8 inches in length to create an additional 24 cubic feet of storage space behind the third row -- 130 percent more space than the standard model.

The 2006 California State Fair is open Tuesdays through Sundays from August 11 through September 4 at the CalExpo Fairgrounds in Sacramento. The Fair will be open on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4.

The California State Fair, which drew 920,000 attendees last year, is in its 153rd year, and features live musical entertainment, motorcross events, live rodeo, California wine tastings, a "Magnificent Midway" and a kids' carnival. A Monster Truck event will take place in the "Ford Horse Show and Rodeo Arena" during Labor Day weekend. More information is available at http://www.bigfun.org/ .

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 300,000 employees and 108 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit http://www.ford.com/ .