Premier Automotive Group Announces Newest Members of its Diversity Council

IRVINE, Calif., May 24, 2005 -- Premier Automotive Group -- an enterprise of Ford Motor Company -- announces the addition of its newest members to its diversity advisory council. The Premier Automotive Group Diversity Council was formed in 2002 and covers its four European marques (Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo). The PAG Diversity Council is a unique combination of internal executives and external diversity experts who serve in an advisory role to the business units.

The council is chaired by Julian Bond, Chairman of the board of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). In total, the new council has 10 internal members and 10 external members, representing a wide range of diverse audiences.

"We welcome the newest members of the PAG Diversity Council," said Julian Bond, Chairman of the Premier Automotive Group Diversity Advisory Council. "Their collective experience in diversity matters will be of great benefit to the advisory council and the Premier Automotive Group's diversity strategy and initiatives."

  The new external members are:

  Jenny Alonzo   Senior Vice President, Production, Promotion Planning &
                  Multicultural Studies, Lifetime Cable Channel

  Allan Gilmour  Retired Vice Chairman, Ford Motor Company

  Amy Hilliard   Founder, Owner & CEO, The ComfortCake Company, LLC

These new members join seven other external diversity experts who will remain on the Council to complete their three year term. The external Council members generally rotate every three years. The internal members are the executives for the brands and serve for the duration of their positions in the respective functions. The council advises the four European marques on a wide variety of business issues including marketing, advertising, human resources, supplier partners and franchise development. Separate sub-committees also focus on areas such as marketing and franchise development.