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Lincoln Navigator Rolls Out With Large Order Bank

15 May 1997

Lincoln Navigator Rolls Out With Large Order Bank

                  Ford boosts truck capacity to meet demand

    WAYNE, Mich., May 14 -- With more than 9,000 orders already
in hand, the first Lincoln Navigator luxury all-purpose vehicles rolled off
the line today at Ford's Michigan Truck Plant.
    Customer demand for the new full-size SUV -- which officially goes on sale
at Lincoln dealerships July 1 -- and the Ford Expedition, has been so strong
that Ford has dedicated the Michigan Truck Plant to producing full-size
four-door utility vehicles.
    At an employee celebration held to mark the Navigator production launch,
Ford and UAW officials praised the quality and craftsmanship of the new
offering, while staking a claim on the future of the full-size SUV market.
    "Our customers are voting with their hard-earned dollars, and this is what
they are voting for -- a high quality, luxury all-purpose vehicle," said Ford
Automotive Operations President Jac Nasser.  "Navigator represents the best in
its segment, and together with our partners and teammates in the UAW, we're
proud to deliver it."
    Nasser said that demand for the new Lincoln Navigator, along with
continued strong orders for Expedition and F-Series pickups, has led to a
50,000 unit system-wide increase in truck production capacity this year.
    Nasser and Ernie Lofton, UAW vice president and director of the national
Ford department, drove one of the first Navigators off the line and joined
employees in a ceremony marking the start up of production.
    The Lincoln Navigator is a new entry in the fastest growing segment of the
sport utility market -- full-size utility vehicles.  The Navigator is a luxury
utility that combines the capability of a world-class SUV with the elegant
styling, safety and luxurious comfort expected from Lincoln.
    The Michigan Truck Plant began producing the highly-successful Ford
Expedition last July.  It now adds Lincoln Navigator production and has
increased its capacity to 282,000 Expeditions and Navigators a year.

SOURCE  Ford Motor Company