Ford Offers Detroit Area Consumers First 'Test Drive' of New 2006 Fusion and Explorer

   * PUBLIC WILL PUT FORD'S FUSION - THE COMPANY'S MOST IMPORTANT MID-SIZE
     CAR IN 20 YEARS - THROUGH ITS PACES, AND SEE THE 2006 NASCAR FUSION AS
     IT MAKES ITS DETROIT AREA DEBUT
   * 2006 FORD EXPLORER WILL MAKE ITS DETROIT DRIVING PREMIERE ON SPECIAL
     'SUV CAPABILITY' COURSE
   * ATTENDEES CAN DRIVE AMERICA'S HOTTEST CAR - THE MUSTANG GT - AS WELL AS
     FORD F-150, FREESTYLE AND FIVE HUNDRED
  * MORE THAN 2,600 CONSUMERS HAVE SIGNED UP FOR FORD RACING INNOVATION
    DRIVE; SEVERAL THOUSAND MORE EXPECTED FOR FORD RACING FAN APPRECIATION
    DAY ACTIVITIES

  WHAT:        Thursday, August 18
               * Ford Racing Innovation Drive:  8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
               * Ford Racing Fan Appreciation Day:  5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
               Both events in the Pontiac Silverdome parking lots

               Some 2,600 auto racing fans and consumers will play out their
               fantasies - at no charge - in the Pontiac Silverdome parking
               lot, which will become a series of gigantic autocross courses
               for the 2006 Ford Fusion, several months before the release
               of the company's most important mid-size car in 20 years.

               The day also will mark the Detroit driving premiere of the
               2006 Ford Explorer, which has the most active and passive
               safety features in its class.  The '06 Ford Explorer leads
               its class with 10 standard advanced safety technologies - and
               seven of the 10 are new to the mid-size SUV class, including
               four new adaptive technologies specifically designed for
               Ford's stringent internal safety targets.

               In addition, there will be test drives of the hot new Mustang
               GT, the Ford F-150, Five Hundred and Freestyle.

               Participants must be over 18 and have a valid driver's
               license.  They can register in advance for the event - the
               third stop on the nationwide, eight-city Ford Innovation
               Drive program - via www.fordinnovationdrive.com or by calling
               1.800.647.7268.  Or they can register on site.

               Ford Fan Appreciation Day activities feature interactive
               displays, family activities, and autographs and Q&A sessions
               with some of Ford's top NASCAR stars, including champions
               like Dale Jarrett and Matt Kenseth, as well as Greg Biffle,
               Elliott Sadler and Ricky Rudd.

               First chance for fans to see the NASCAR Ford Fusion, which
               will make its debut in Daytona in February 2006.

               Free tickets available at Metro Detroit Ford Dealers or $10
               donation at the door.