FORD ASIA PACIFIC & AFRICA'S PRESIDENT MEET WITH VIETNAM VICE PRIME-MINISTER DURING HIS VISIT TO FORD VIETNAM

Hanoi, Aug. 17th 2005 – Ford Asia Pacific and Africa 's President, Peter Daniel, today met with Vietnam Vice Prime-minister Vu Khoan and some other government officials during his 2-day visit to Ford Vietnam. This visit was the first visit by the Ford executive since taking on his new role as regional president based in Ford's regional headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand . The visit allowed the president to get a first-hand look at Ford Vietnam's operations including a visit to the Hai Duong assembly plant and detailed business review on Ford's success story in Vietnam .

Peter Daniel, as president of FAP&A, is responsible for spearheading Ford's regional strategy and business development in Asia Pacific & Africa, where the key growth markets are focused on China, India and ASEAN's five countries. Daniel's newly created position reflects the growing importance of Asia Pacific to the Ford's global automotive growth strategy. The president cited the growth potential in Asia Pacific, "Ford is very serious about strengthening our presence in this region, including Vietnam. As an integral part of FAP&A, Vietnam plays an important role as an emerging new market with promising growth potential. The success and market share gains that Ford has achieved in Vietnam clearly demonstrates that Ford has the right quality products and high customer service delivery that today's customers demand.

"Our customers in Asia Pacific can expect more exciting new product introductions from Ford in the near future, as we now have a robust product development strategy to specifically design and engineer cars and trucks to meet the needs of a new generation of Asian consumers,” he added.

He also outlined to Ford Vietnam 's employees the fundamental ways in which Ford Motor Company would differentiate itself from competitors and grow its business: innovative technology and Ford’s 100-year family heritage.

"Ford Motor Company will be at the forefront of market-changing technology like hybrid-electric powertrains and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles," he said. "Ford is committed to deliver sustainable mobility for our future generations. We consider it a key element in building our company for our next 100 years."

Daniel noted the progress evident in Vietnam and congratulated the team on their success and commitment, while challenging them to grow the business more aggressively. Ford Vietnam had gained the year-on-year increase in market share, and reached the 2 nd market-share last year against strong competition. So far this year, Ford is a leader in the local market, with the all-time sale records set in July 2005 with 20.4% market share, widening its lead as the number two market leader . The strong retail performance is backed by Ford’s high customer satisfaction scores – as one of FAP&A's leaders in Sales and Service Satisfaction including the Quality Care, network extended, Motor-craft launch.

In manufacturing, Ford's operations in Vietnam are the first and only automotive operations to have acquired all three globally accredited quality certifications - ISO9001, ISO14001, QS9000 and the latest award of TS14969 -another first for an auto company in Vietnam.

Daniel also commended Ford Vietnam for setting an exemplary role as a responsible corporate citizen within the local communities, primarily in the areas of environmental and cultural conservation and road safety. To date, the successful Ford Motor Company Conservation & Environmental Grants, initially launched in 2000, has contributed a total of US$200,000 to benefit more than 50 projects ranging from turtle conservation, biogas alternative for energy conservation and preservation of traditional Vietnamese cultural dance and literature.

Ford’s commitment to Road Safety education and awareness included Helmet of Kids Program, "Going to School Safety" education contest, helmets to FVL & DLR employees and AMCHAM road safety seminar.