PRESS RELEASE

Ford to Discontinue Aspire After '97 Model Year

5 February 1997

    DETROIT, Feb. 4 -- Ford Motor Company is notifying
its North American dealers that it will discontinue the Ford Aspire after the
1997 model year.
    Ford's goal is to offer a strong line of cars and trucks that customers
want.
    Discontinuation of the Aspire will enable Ford dealers to focus on selling
the Ford Escort the best-selling subcompact in the industry for 14 straight
years, and on other car and truck lines.  Ford introduced the all-new 1997
Escort last year and will follow with the introduction of the 1998-model Ford
Escort ZX2 coupe this spring.
    Ford has sold some 133,000 Aspires since introducing it as three- and
five-door subcompact models in February 1994.  In 1996 customers bought 37,000
units.
    Production of Aspire for the North American market is scheduled to
continue through June 1997.  Ford will continue to supply Aspire-derived
vehicles for Asian markets.

SOURCE  Ford Motor Company