Ford Breaks Ground for Philippines Manufacturing Plant

29 May 1998

    SANTA ROSA, Philippines, May 29 -- Ford Motor Company's
Philippines manufacturing project took an important new step forward
today when the company officially broke ground for a new assembly plant.
    In a ceremony at the Greenfield Automotive Technology Park in Santa Rosa,
45 kilometers south of Manila, Melito Salazar, Undersecretary of Trade and
Industry, Ford Vice Chairman Wayne Booker and Ford Motor Company Philippines
President Terry Emrick buried a time capsule containing the day's newspaper
headlines and documents representing Ford's plans for the project.  The plant
site was then blessed by local clergy.
    Commenting on the project, Booker emphasized Ford's commitment to be a
leading participant in the development of the automotive industry in the
Philippines.
    "Our investment over the next few years in the Greenfield Automotive Park
will create jobs -- not just in our facilities, but also with other suppliers
locating here," said Booker.  "Ford is already one of the largest purchasers
of components from the Philippines, so this new manufacturing complex is an
important step in our growth in this market."
    The Ford manufacturing complex will include an assembly plant capable of
producing vehicles using up to four different platforms.  Initially, the
factory will build the Ford Ranger 1-ton pickup truck, the Ford Laser Liata
passenger car and the Ford Econovan commercial truck.  In addition, several
component supplier operations will join Ford in the Greenfield Automotive
Technology Park.
    Construction of the new Ford manufacturing facilities is beginning
immediately, and the factory is scheduled to open in the fall of 1999.
    "It is important to remember that Ford has been investing in Asian markets
at a time when the economies of many of these countries are struggling,"
Booker added.  "Ford remains committed to Asia because we believe in these
nations and in the potential for growth in this region."
    Ford also displayed today a range of products imported from North America
and aimed at Filipino customers.  Models featured were F-150 pickup truck
(Ford's F-Series is the top-selling vehicle range in the world currently and
of all time), the Expedition sport utility vehicle, the Club Wagon full size
"people carrier" and the Lincoln Town Car luxury sedan.