Ford is the Vehicle Manufacturer of SEMA Show 2004

Ford Continues Support of the Specialty Automotive Industry, Reprising Role as the Featured OEM of SEMA Show

DIAMOND BAR, Calif., June 3 -- Ford Motor Company will be the featured Vehicle Manufacturer of SEMA Show 2004.

"We are very pleased that Ford is returning as our featured vehicle manufacturer for our Las Vegas SEMA Show this fall. Ford has been, and continues to be, a staunch supporter of SEMA and our industry," said Christopher J. Kersting, president and CEO of SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association. "Several years ago, Ford had the insight to see the tremendous benefits of working with our specialty equipment member companies to provide its vehicle owners with cars and trucks modified to suit their tastes, lifestyles, and family needs. All parties -- consumers, Ford, and our SEMA members -- have reaped rewards from this partnership."

World-famous because of its vast array of unique automotive vehicles, the large numbers of product introductions and its trend-setting activities, the 2004 SEMA Show is set for Tuesday, Nov. 2, through Friday, Nov. 5, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Jim O'Connor, group vice president of Ford Motor Company Marketing, Sales & Service, said, "We know that the SEMA Show 2004 is an ideal showcase for our newly redesigned Mustang. The Mustang is a classic hot-rod -- sure to strike a chord with SEMA Show attendees, taking them back to their automotive performance roots."

"What's more, the SEMA Show provides us with the opportunity to showcase the flexibility of our vehicles for personalization and accessorization. We've learned that the SEMA Show goes far beyond its trade show walls at the Las Vegas Convention Center, receiving international media coverage. As the Vehicle Manufacturer of the Show, we have a fantastic opportunity to display the all-new 2005 Mustang to an international audience of auto enthusiasts -- classic car fans and aftermarket aficionados alike should enjoy what Ford has in store for SEMA Show 2004."

In addition to Ford, other OEM exhibitors at SEMA Show 2004 displaying concept vehicles and ways to modify vehicles will include American Honda, DaimlerChrysler, General Motors, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, SCION, Subaru and Toyota.

SEMA Show 2004 will occupy the Las Vegas Convention Center for the 28th consecutive year. The 2004 show will be organized into 12 sections, with the carmakers' exhibits distributed throughout the 2 million square feet of exhibits and hundreds of specially constructed project cars and trucks.

SEMA Show 2003 featured more than 1,500 project vehicles, had approximately 1,000 entries into its new product competition and attracted more than 100,000 industry professionals from 145 countries. The SEMA Show is held concurrently with the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX). The two trade shows comprise the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW), one of the two largest business gatherings held in Las Vegas.

The annual SEMA Show, open only to the automotive industry, is one of several shows produced by SEMA for the various markets and market niches its wide-ranging membership covers. More information about SEMA Show 2004 is available at www.SEMAshow.com.

SEMA represents the $29 billion specialty automotive industry. Founded in 1963, the trade association has 5,200 member companies. It is the authoritative source of research, data, trends and market growth information for automakers and the specialty auto products industry. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger cars, minivans, trucks, SUVs, crossovers, and recreational vehicles. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765-3914: call 909/396-0289; or visit www.sema.org and www.enjoythedrive.com.

Image available at: http://www.sema.org/image/32890.jpg

CAPTION: This year's SEMA Show will again attract auto enthusiasts from around the world. More than 100,000 industry professionals are expected to explore the aisles of SEMA Show 2004 to discover and buy the latest products displayed in the two million square feet of exhibits inside and outside the Las Vegas Convention Center.