Ford Names Don Leclair Chief Financial Officer; Jim Gouin Appointed Vice President, Controller

* Ford stabilizes finance leadership with appointments of Leclair and Gouin, two company veterans, experienced automotive executives. * They have played an instrumental role leading Finance in achieving progress in our revitalization.

DEARBORN, Mich., July 10 -- Ford Motor Company today named Don Leclair a group vice president and the company's chief financial officer, succeeding Allan Gilmour, who remains vice chairman.

Ford's Board of Directors also elected Jim Gouin (pronounced Gway) a company vice president and controller, replacing Leclair. Gouin has been controller for North America since November 2001. The appointments are effective Aug. 1.

Vice Chairman Carl Reichardt's retirement, which was announced on June 16, becomes effective August 1.

Leclair, 51, will report to Gilmour. Those reporting to Leclair are Gouin; Malcolm Macdonald, vice president and treasurer; and Barbara Gasper, vice president, Investor Relations.

In addition to Finance, Gilmour has responsibility for Corporate Affairs, Human Resources, General Auditor's Office, Dealer Policy Board and Ford Credit.

"Don Leclair and Jim Gouin are world-class finance leaders and Ford veterans," said Bill Ford, chairman and chief executive officer. "They have been instrumental in working with Allan Gilmour in leading Finance to achieve our cost objectives and Revitalization Plan targets. Allan's experience and guidance have been critical to our recent successes."

"Don and Jim represent a wealth of financial experience at Ford and within the automotive industry," said Gilmour. "They will continue to work with me to build upon the progress we've made and the momentum we're building. With these appointments, we are stabilizing the leadership of our finance team for the long term."

Said Leclair: "I look forward to the challenge of leading the finance team through our revitalization and working even more closely with the company's senior management team. Together, we've made a great deal of progress. I want to help the company build on its current momentum."

"It's exciting to be part of a team that is facing its challenges head on and making such progress," said Gouin. "I look forward to continuing to work with Don, the entire finance organization and the senior management team."

Leclair has been the company's controller since Nov. 1, 2001. Previously, he served as controller for North America. He was also the controller of Global Product Development and Manufacturing and Ford Australia.

He joined the company in 1976 as a financial analyst at the Lorain Assembly Plant and has held various leadership positions in Product Development, Manufacturing and Finance.

Leclair holds a bachelor's degree in economics and an MBA in finance from the University of Michigan.

Gouin, 43, joined Ford in 1979 as an accounts payable clerk. He has held finance positions of increasing responsibility in North America Automotive Operations, Vehicle Operations and Marketing and Sales.

Gouin holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the Detroit Institute of Technology and an MBA in finance from the University of Detroit.