Ford Motor Company Launches New Information Technology Hub in India

    CHENNAI, India, March 29 Ford Motor Company celebrated the
opening of Ford Information Technology Services India (FITSI) in Chennai today
at a special ceremony attended by the Union Minister of Information Technology
& Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Pramod Mahajan, and various other government and
business officials.

    FITSI will serve as the hub for Ford's information technology initiatives
in India and throughout the Asia Pacific region.  FITSI will primarily deliver
high quality solutions in business software, Computer Aided Engineering
(CAD/CAM) and call center/e-mail processing.  Ford Asia Pacific (FAP) will be
the first customer of FITSI, to implement region wide Consumer Connect e-
Business solutions.  Apart from the creation and development of systems within
Ford Asia Pacific, FITSI services may be utilised for other web initiatives in
the region.

    FITSI is located at Tidel Park, a high-tech center in Chennai.  The
facility will cover over 80,000 square feet, housing 800 workstations for
software engineers.

    "FITSI clearly demonstrates Ford's continuing, long-term commitment to
India," says Phil Spender, managing director, Ford India Ltd.  "We recognize
that India is a leader in developing computer software and E-commerce business
solutions -- and we want to tap into that expertise."

    Ford Motor Company is changing the way it does business by embracing
advanced technologies and the Internet to deliver the products and services
that consumers want faster, better and more effectively.  E-business is a top
priority for the company.

    "We must continue to be innovative in our use of technology as part of our
drive to be the world's leading consumer company that produces automotive
products and services," says Vaughn Koshkarian, Vice President, Ford Motor
Company.  "Our centre in India will play a key role in developing e-commerce
solutions to connect Ford with our suppliers, our dealers and our consumers."

    Partnering with Ford to create FITSI are three Indian companies, Covansys,
Satyam Computers and Thirdware.  Ford will provide the infrastructure while
the associate companies will supply most of the IT services.

    "We are proud to be the technology partner for Ford's e-commerce and IT
initiatives to be executed in India.  We are committed to make this a world-
class solutions center for Ford.  With our track record of successful
partnerships, we are confident of helping Ford establish a quality driven and
cost effective center," says Raj Vattikutti, Founder and Chairman of Covansys
India Ltd.

    "Our relationship with Ford has been a happy and enduring one.  Over the
last few years Satyam has worked with Ford on several challenging and
satisfying IT assignments.  Today, we are reaching a new milestone in our
partnership journey with Ford.  We are indeed delighted and proud to be
closely involved in the FITSI venture," says B. Ramalingam Raju, Chairman,
Satyam Computer Services Ltd.

    "The Ford Team identified the Indian advantage in software very early,"
says Mohan Kirane, Managing Director, Thirdware Solutions Ltd.  "Thirdware's
association with Ford began in 1995 when Ford first started its Indian
operations.  We see the FITSI launch as a key milestone in sharing this
competency with Ford markets globally."

    FITSI will incorporate Ford Motor Company's policies in corporate
citizenship and other key areas which will enable it to deliver 'excellent
products and services and strive to make this world a better place.'