Exclusive Interview: Ford's President for Russia Discusses Plans with just-auto.com

    LONDON, Jan. 23 http://www.just-auto.com -- Ford Motor Co
is on the verge of launching its biggest venture in Russia -- it is to build
and sell the mid-sized Focus there.
    Although critics believe that few Russians can afford the
$13,000 - $15,000 for the new cars Alain Batty, president of Ford for Russia
has confidence in the venture.  In the exclusive interview at
http://just-auto.com/features_detail.asp?art=426 Batty says that the plant
will be ready to produce cars in the middle of this year.
    However, the market is not expected to reach pre-crisis levels until 2002
or 2003 and with the Focus being one of the more expensive cars on the market
(see table), Russia waits to see how well the model will sell.

    Forecast Prices: Foreign-Brand Models to be Built in Russia

    BRAND                        MODEL                              $ PRICE
    Dacia                        X90                                  4,545
    Chevrolet                    Niva                                 7,500
    Renault                      Clio Symbol                          8,500
    Skoda                        Fabia                         8,500-10,500
    Fiat                         Palio                                9,000
    Fiat                         Siena                        10,000-11,000
    Ford                         Focus                        13,000-15,000
    Renault                      Megane Classic               13,500-16,900
    SOURCE just-auto.com

    Batty is positive.  He plans to employ 300 - 400 people to make the
$10,000 - $15,000 models each year and aims to become the employer of choice
in Russia, offering highly competitive salaries.

    To read the full exclusive interview, see:
      http://just-auto.com/features_detail.asp?art=426

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    For more information, please contact:
    David Leggett, just-auto.com Managing Editor - david@just-auto.com
    Amanda Smithson, Marketing Manager - amanda@just-sites.com
    Telephone: +44-1386-383000
    Facsimile: +44-1386-47073