Aston Martin, Jaguar and Land Rover to Create New North American Organization

    IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 10 The North American subsidiary
operations for Aston Martin, Jaguar and Land Rover are creating a new
organization within the Premier Automotive Group.  The Premier Automotive
Group is the Consumer Business Group within Ford Motor Company responsible for
premium vehicles.  The new organization will focus on driving forward the
aggressive growth plans for all three marques, enabling each company to better
leverage their individual positions within the luxury vehicle market, and
providing the resources to support a stronger franchise network.
    The new organization will combine sales, marketing, communications,
franchise development, distribution, parts and customer service. It is
effective September 1, 2001 and will be headquartered at the new Premier
Automotive Group facility in Irvine, CA.  All three companies move into the
new Irvine facility from mid-August onwards and will be combining the
relocation action with the creation of the new organization.  Lincoln and
Volvo are scheduled to move into the Irvine facility during September.
    Dr Wolfgang Reitzle, Chairman of the Premier Automotive Group, said that
strong growth in North America was key to the long-term success of the group's
marques.  "North America is the largest luxury vehicle market in the world and
we are very focused on ensuring we have the right business structure to help
realize the full potential of the Premier Automotive Group.  Combining our
British marques in North America makes great sense for our retailers,
customers and investors, while creating an environment where they can grow
stronger as individual brands," continued Dr Reitzle.
    Mike O'Driscoll, currently President of Jaguar North America, is appointed
President of Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover North America with immediate
effect.  O'Driscoll will be responsible for all sales, marketing, franchise
development and customer service activities in North America across all three
companies.
    O'Driscoll said: "This is a critical period of growth for all three
marques in North America.  With the integration of operations under this new
organization, we will be better placed to accelerate our sales and
distribution plans for all three marques, as well as take the best from each
company to deliver a world-class service to our retailers and customers.
    "With all three British marques operating together, we will start to
achieve the critical mass required to compete head-to-head with other premium
car and truck manufacturers.  To be successful in the premium market, you need
to be able to offer a broad range of vehicles. With Aston Martin, Jaguar and
Land Rover, we are able to offer that range without diluting the core values
of each individual marque," said O'Driscoll.
    All three companies will continue to operate selected functions out of
their existing east coast offices in Lanham, MD and Mahwah, NJ through at
least mid-2002.  In mid-2002, Premier Automotive Group intends that Aston
Martin, Jaguar and Land Rover will establish a single consolidated east coast
operations center in Mahwah, NJ.
    The Land Rover University and Technical Training Center in Lanham, MD will
be retained at its current location.  Further details of this consolidation
will be communicated over the course of the next several months.
    The Executive Director of the Premier Automotive Group, Vic Doolan, said
Aston Martin, Jaguar and Land Rover were a very natural fit.  "They all share
a similar culture and philosophy combined with a product range that is
complementary and with virtually no overlap.  Historically, Aston Martin,
Jaguar and Land Rover retailers have often been co-located on single sites.
Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover North America will allow us to bring synergies
where they make sense for our customers and retailers while retaining each
marques' unique culture and identity. With the formation of the new
organization, we will be able to accelerate our aggressive growth strategies
for all three marques."
    Howard Mosher has elected to leave Land Rover in 2002, but will continue
as President, Land Rover North America, within the new consolidated
organization until then.  In addition to this role, he will assist the
internal and external transition teams through the initial integration
process.
    Howard Mosher said: "With the implementation of the Premier Automotive
Group strategy in North America it is clear that a new organization structure
is required.  My role over the coming months will be to facilitate in whatever
positive fashion I can, the transition for Land Rover retailers and associates
into the new Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover structure".
    In addition to the consolidation of the British marques, a new group will
be formed to provide shared services to all the European brands, including
Volvo, and selected services to Lincoln Mercury.  These functions include
Human Resources, Finance, Information Technology and Retail Transformation.
    Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover also announced several new management
positions as part of the establishment of the new organization.  The following
positions report to Mike O'Driscoll, President Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover
North America:

     John Walton, Vice President and General Manager, Aston Martin
     Sue Callaway, Vice President and General Manager, Jaguar
     Steve McKnight, Vice President and General Manager, Land Rover

    All of the following positions have responsibility for Aston Martin,
Jaguar and Land Rover, and will report to O'Driscoll:

     Fran O'Hagan, Vice President Franchise Operations
     Doug Speck, Vice President Retail Operations
     Simon Sproule, Vice President Communications and Marketing Services
     Gary Temple, Vice President Customer Services