Ford Launches 'Drive One For Your HBCU' Initiative

- Ford, in partnership with the Tom Joyner Foundation, will challenge students, alumni, faculty and friends to conduct test drives at local dealerships to support their alma mater. - Each validated test drive will result in a $25 donation to the Tom Joyner Foundation up to $250,000 - The "Drive One For Your HBCU's" initiative kicks off just in time for the launch of the annual Ford Black College Road Trip Program and the HBCU football season - The Ford Black College Road Trip will begin on October 23 at Florida A&M University and will culminate at the 2009 Bayou Classic in New Orleans Thanksgiving Weekend

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 21 -- This fall, Historically Black College & University (HBCU) football fans will have more than on-field rivalry to focus on. Ford, in partnership with the Tom Joyner Foundation, is challenging HBCU students, alumni, faculty and friends to conduct test drives at local Ford dealerships to support their alma mater. Each validated test drive will result in a donation to the Tom Joyner Foundation up to $250,000. The entire program is geared toward raising funds for HBCU's and falls in line with Ford's efforts in improving educational attainment for all.

"The Drive One For Your HBCU's" program is an initiative that is designed to encourage those within and outside of the HBCU community to get on board in our efforts to raise funds for HBCU's and ultimately education," said Crystal Worthem, multicultural marketing manager, Ford Motor Company. "We want HBCU fans to get out and take a drive in one of our newest products, knowing that their drive is benefitting their favorite HBCU. It's about giving people a chance to take a spin in some of our products like the new 2010 Ford Taurus and 2010 Ford Fusion while also giving back. Partnering with Tom Joyner and the Tom Joyner Foundation on this initiative was the ideal fit for us as Tom also has such a rich history in supporting HBCU's."

"Ford has always been a big supporter of the HBCU's, and a supporter of the Tom Joyner Foundation," said Tom Joyner. "I am pleased that we are going to be working together with Ford to raise awareness and raise funds for the students attending these schools We are going to encourage all the HBCU alumni and supporters to get out and drive a Ford to help keep a kid in school."

The test-drive program kicks off on October 21 and runs until January 4, 2010. The program allows for various entry points including online at www.drive4hbcu.com, during the various stops of the Ford Black College Road Trip and during the 2009 Bayou Classic in New Orleans. The goal of the program is to secure a total of 10,000 test drives before the program wraps up in January with $25 being donated for each test drive taken. The Tom Joyner Morning Show and www.blackamericaweb.com will serve as additional outlets for information and reminders on the program throughout the campaign.

2009 Ford Black College Road Trip

The 2009 Ford Black College Road Trip is back for its ninth year and this time Author and Chairman & CEO of FraserNet, George Fraser is onboard. The tour, which kicks off at Florida A&M University on October 23, will include On-Campus Takeovers featuring some of Ford's latest products like the 2010 Ford Taurus that comes equipped with 10 class-exclusive features as well as networking sessions hosted by George Fraser. Fraser will be onsite during the road trip program presenting: The Goal of Networking: Why Do Some Relationships Never Work and Others Seem to Click." at select business schools. In addition, Ford will be onsite during game day weekend at the select stops of the 2009 tour with opportunities to check out its latest products and to register for the "Drive One For Your HBCU'" program.

  2009 Tour Schedule
  FAMU                              October 23-24
  Clark Atlanta University          October 29-31
  Tuskegee University               November 5-7
  Howard University                 November 12-14
  Bayou Classic                     Thanksgiving Weekend

For more information on the "Drive One For Your HBCU" Program, please visit www.drive4hbcu.com

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 201,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

About The Tom Joyner Foundation

Founded in 1998, the Tom Joyner Foundation has raised more than $55 million to help keep students enrolled in black colleges. It has assisted more than 14,000 students and worked with more than 100 HBCUs. For more information about the Foundation go to BlackAmericaWeb.com/foundation (http://www.blackamericaweb.com/?q=tjfoundation).

Go to http://media.ford.com/ for news releases and high-resolution photographs.