Ford Leads Woodward Cruise For Children's Charities

DEARBORN, Mich., July 31, 2003 – Ford Motor Company is announcing two new ways for continuing its tradition of supporting Detroit area children’s charities during the annual “Revvin’ with Ford” event, held this month in conjunction with the Woodward Dream Cruise.

Ford is offering customers a new “Revvin’ with Ford” customer cash incentive program. Starting August 1 through August 16th, customers of participating Metro Detroit Ford Dealers and the Lincoln-Mercury Dealers Association of Metro Detroit will be able to save an additional $250 on select 2003 models. The incentive will be available on Ford Thunderbird and Mustang, Mercury Grand Marquis and Marauder, and Lincoln LS. This special “Revvin’” incentive may be combined with other customer incentives offered by Ford and Lincoln-Mercury.

Fifty dollars from each vehicle purchased or leased through the program will be donated to the Children’s Charities Coalition. Ford Motor Company and the two dealer groups have guaranteed the charities a minimum of a $20,000 contribution.

The “Revvin’ with Ford” incentive coincides with Ford Motor Company’s annual celebration of cars and nostalgia, held in Downtown Birmingham in conjunction with the Woodward Dream Cruise – the world's largest weekend auto event. “Revvin’” activities include a Preview Party on Friday evening, Aug. 15 – with proceeds also benefiting the Children’s Charities Coalition – and free-admission activities on Saturday, Aug. 16 that include music, food, nostalgia, kid-friendly activities and, of course, classic cars and some of Ford’s hottest current models.

Ford has raised more than $1.5 million for special-needs children through Revvin’ with Ford charity programs, since the company started the event four years ago.

“Ford Motor Company and its dealers have always believed in giving back to the communities where we do business,” said Jim O’Connor, Ford Motor Company group vice president, North America Marketing, Sales and Service and Chairman of Revvin’ with Ford. “We’re delighted our local Ford and Lincoln-Mercury dealers are joining our efforts to support children’s charities.”

“The Metro Detroit Ford Dealers feel that their involvement with Revvin’ with Ford, along with the special Revvin’ incentive, make it a great time to get people in a car-buying mood,” said Jim Seavitt of Village Ford in Dearborn and Chairman of the Metro Detroit Ford Dealers, who are also sponsoring a Pancake Breakfast at “Revvin’ with Ford” Aug. 16 to support the Children’s Charities Coalition.

The Metro Detroit Lincoln-Mercury dealers are sponsoring free, family entertainment in the Lincoln Lounge and on the Mercury Midway at Revvin’ with Ford. “The Metro Detroit Lincoln-Mercury dealers are happy to participate in this program to help out such a worthy cause,” said Joe Sesi of Sesi Lincoln-Mercury in Ypsilanti and Chairman of the Lincoln-Mercury Dealers Association of Metro Detroit.

Mercury Marauder eBay Auction Also, Ford announced the original concept Mercury Marauder Convertible that debuted at the 2002 Chicago Auto Show will be auctioned on eBay. The auction will last from Aug. 7-17, with all proceeds from the winning bid donated to the Children’s Charities Coalition.

This is the one and only Marauder Convertible concept vehicle that was shown at several auto shows around the United States. Auto enthusiasts were drawn to Marauder Convertible’s supercharged 4.6-liter V-8 that produces 335 hp and 355 lb-ft of torque, its black monochromatic body, dark-tinted headlamps and tail lamp bezels, high-intensity Cibié fog lamps integrated into the front fascia panel, and three-inch chrome exhaust tips.

The concept’s distinctive features include rich black leather seats with classic French seam stitching and a modern rendition of the god Mercury’s head embossed in the front seat backs. The vehicle also features white-faced gauges, including a 7,000-rpm tachometer and 140-mph speedometer with a red-lit “Marauder” graphic. “The Mercury Marauder Convertible concept cannot be licensed for use on public roads and is for display purposes only,” said O’Connor. “It will surely appeal to any serious car collector who wants to own a one-of-a-kind concept property.”

For more information on the event, visit www.revvinwithford.com or call (800) 4-REVVIN. For more information on the “Revvin’ with Ford” incentive, customers are encouraged to visit their Metro-area Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. Details on the eBay auction will be available through www.ebay.com, starting Aug. 7.

About the Children’s Charities Coalition The Children’s Charities Coalition is comprised of four charities, including Child Abuse and Neglect Council of Oakland County, The Community House Children's Programs, Orchards Children's Services and Variety, the Children's Charity. Each of these nonprofit groups has served as a leader in raising awareness, funding and support for the various needs of children in our community.