Press Release

Seattle Ford and Lincoln-Mercury Dealers Announce Cooperation on Cancer Benefit

10/09/96

Seattle-Area Ford and Lincoln-Mercury Dealers Team Up For the 1996
Puget Sound Race for the Cure

SEATTLE, Oct. 7 -- The Seattle-area Ford and
Lincoln-Mercury dealers have teamed up with the Susan G. Komen Breast
Cancer Foundation for the 1996 Puget Sound Race for the Cure. The
event will be held Oct. 13 at Husky Stadium in Seattle. An estimated
7,000 people will participate in the race to support the fight against
breast cancer.

Ford Motor Co. is a national sponsor of the Race for the Cure, a
series of 5-kilometer runs and walks held across the country to help
raise funds to expand breast-cancer awareness, screening, education
and research.  As part of their sponsorship, the Seattle-area Ford and
Lincoln-Mercury dealers will donate the purse for the top-five runners
and the Men for the Cure program. The Men for the Cure program
provides men a chance to become involved in the event through
volunteer activities.

In addition, seven Seattle-area Ford and Lincoln-Mercury dealers will
support the event by contributing $25 to the Puget Sound Race for the
Cure for every new vehicle they sell Oct. 11-13. Participating dealers
include Harris Ford, Southgate Ford, Sea-Tac Ford Truck Sales,
Prestige Ford, Harnish Lincoln-Mercury, Pacific Lincoln-Mercury and
Bellevue Lincoln-Mercury. Bellevue Lincoln-Mercury will conduct its
sales event from mid-September to Oct. 13.

"For us, this is more than just a sporting event," said Lee Oliphant,
regional sales manager, Ford division, Seattle regional sales and
marketing office. "It is about coming together in support of people
affected by breast cancer and raising funds for this important cause."

On race day, representatives from the participating dealerships will
be at the Ford Motor Co. vehicle display area distributing bottled
water, product literature and other items to race
participants. Visitors to the Ford display will also be able to enter
a drawing for two $250 gift certificates good toward purchases at
Bellevue Square in Bellevue, Wash.

"It's important to us that 75 percent of the funds raised stay in the
Puget Sound area to fund breast cancer projects," said Ellen Nowacki,
regional manager, Lincoln-Mercury division, Seattle regional sales and
marketing office. The remaining 25 percent is used to support national
research grants awarded by the Komen Foundation.

Since the race was conceived in 1994, it has raised more than
$155,000. The event consists of a women-only 5-kilometer run and walk
and a one-mile coed run and walk. Those interested in participating
can obtain race entry forms from all Seattle-area Ford and
Lincoln-Mercury dealers. Newswire services have been donated by PR
Newswire.