Press Release

Motor Trend Announces Ford F-150 as Truck of the Year Award for F-150

11/07/96

Motor Trend Magazine Names the Ford F-150 as 1997 Truck of the Year
Announcement Made at the Annual SEMA/AI Show in Las Vegas


LAS VEGAS, Nov. 5 -- MOTOR TREND magazine today announced
at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show the
selection of the Ford F-150 as the publication's 1997 Truck of the
Year. In selecting the F- 150 for its highest truck-based award, MOTOR
TREND cited the Ford's outstanding line of powerplants, comfortable
cabin, contemporary styling, exceptional ride quality, innovative
features, and overall value.

The Truck of the Year award program is a sister event to MOTOR TREND's
prestigious Car of the Year and Import Car of the Year awards. It was
inaugurated in 1989 in response to the dramatic rise in consumer
interest in truck-based vehicles as personal transportation. In
choosing the Truck of the Year, MOTOR TREND editors considered all new
or significantly-changed 1997 pickups, sport/utility vehicles, and
full-size vans, weighing such factors as technological advancement,
value, performance, livability, and overall impact on the automotive
market to identify the most significant vehicle of '97.

The Ford F-Series line of full-size pickups has been the best-selling
vehicle line in the U.S. for 14 consecutive years. The radically
restyled '97 F-150, which has been enthusiastically received by
buyers, represents the first major redesign in the lineup in 17 years.
Accompanying its modern, aerodynamic exterior is a roomy cabin with
car-like amenities and ergonomics, a redone suspension for an
impressively comfortable ride quality, and a number of innovative
touches such as the industry's first third-door for extended cab
models and a key-lock passenger airbag deactivation system. In
addition, a trio of new engines includes the strongest V-6 base engine
in its class, as well as two modern, overhead-cam V-8s. All three
feature 100,000-mile tune-up schedules. In reviewing the F-150, the
MOTOR TREND editors cited that the Ford sets "the benchmark by which
all pickups will be measured," and that "the '97 Ford F-150
successfully combines innovative design, sophisticated powerplants,
luxurious creature comforts, 21st century styling, and impressive
hauling abilities." Its roomy cabin, they noted, "brings new levels of
comfort to a full-size pickup." In describing the F-150's impressive
line of redesigned engines, they noted that all three deliver "an
impressive combination of clean emissions, thrift fuel economy,
trailer-pulling power, and daily-driver smoothness."

The complete report on the 1997 Truck of the Year can be found in the
December 1996 issue of MOTOR TREND, on sale November 5, 1996, or on
MOTOR TREND's Internet site at www.motortrend.com. The '97 Truck of
the Year will also be reviewed on TNN's MOTOR TREND Television series
on November 9-10, 1996. MOTOR TREND magazine is published monthly in
Los Angeles by Petersen Publishing Company.

The 1996 SEMA/AI Show features the latest styles and hottest trends in
automotive parts and accessories. The Show takes place at the Las
Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas from November 5-8. For Media
Credentials or additional information on the 1996 SEMA/AI Show, please
contact Steven Clark at SEMA Media Relations (818/992-4353).