Bill Ford Named 2006 Automotive Industry Executive of the Year

DETROIT, Feb. 13, 2006 -- The 2006 Automotive Industry Executive of the Year award will be presented to William Clay Ford, Jr., chairman of the board and chief executive officer, Ford Motor Company at an invitation-only luncheon at the Detroit Athletic Club (DAC) on April 5.

This award has recognized excellence in automotive leadership from OEM executives since 1964, with a list of past winners that includes Dieter Zetsche, Rick Wagoner, Henry Ford II, Robert Eaton, Thomas Stallkamp, Roger Smith, Harold E. Poling, Lee Iacocca and John DeLorean.

"This award recognizes the insightful leadership Bill Ford has shown in committing Ford Motor Company to rebuilding long-term, trusting relationships with suppliers, as well as his courage in continuing to make tough decisions to secure his company's future," said Robert Djurovic, DNV Certification's director of automotive services-North America, and chairman of the nominating committee.

This award is jointly sponsored by DNV and the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG). The Automotive Industry Executive of the Year award nominating committee is composed of automotive industry media, various industry analysts and automotive supplier CEOs.

"AIAG is proud to sponsor this event," said J. Scot Sharland, executive director of AIAG. "There's an old saying that adversity reveals character! It is, appropriate therefore, that we pause to recognize industry leaders who are catalysts for positive change in our increasingly competitive market."

About The Automotive Industry Executive of the Year Award

The award was originally created by Automotive Industries magazine in 1964 to recognize leadership in the automotive industry. When the magazine was sold in 2005, DNV Certification, the main corporate sponsor of the award for the past several years, acquired all rights to the award program. This is the first year AIAG has been a sponsor. The award has been presented annually at a private, invitation-only luncheon at the Detroit Athletic Club (DAC).

About DNV Certification

DNV Certification offers complete third-party registration services to standards, including TS 16949, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, as well as other services including training, CE Mark and product certification.

About AIAG

Founded in 1982, AIAG is a globally recognized organization where OEMs and suppliers unite to address and resolve issues affecting the worldwide automotive supply chain. AIAG's goals are to reduce cost and complexity through collaboration; improve product quality, health, safety and the environment; and optimize speed to market throughout the supply chain. Headquartered in the metro Detroit area, its more than 1,500 member companies include North American, European and Asia-Pacific OEMs and suppliers to the automotive industry. Additional information is available on the Internet at http://www.aiag.org/ .