PRESS RELEASE

Lincoln to Offer Factory-Certified, Pre-Owned Luxury Cars Nationally

    DETROIT, Nov. 11 -- Lincoln is offering an assurance
of luxury to customers who are looking to purchase low-mileage Lincoln
Town Cars, Continentals and Mark VIIIs.
    The Lincoln Assured pre-owned vehicle program will be rolled out
in major markets across the nation beginning Dec. 9, offering select,
previously driven Lincolns.
    "Lincoln Assured has delighted our customers in test markets,"
said Jim O'Connor, Ford vice president and general manager of
Lincoln-Mercury Division.  "Now we are expanding the program to offer
'cream-of-the-crop,' one-owner Lincolns to customers across the
country who want pre-owned luxury at a very affordable price."
    The factory-certified program debuted in June as a test pilot at
participating dealerships in metro Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth,
St. Louis, and Tampa/Clearwater/St. Petersburg.  Lincoln Assured
luxury cars soon will become available at participating dealerships in
selected areas of Illinois, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and
the southeastern U.S.  Rollout should be completed by June 1997.
    Lincoln Assured is the only manufacturer-sponsored pre-owned
luxury car program that involves factory reconditioning.  Cars are
screened and then undergo a comprehensive 150-point inspection,
reconditioning and certification process by factory representatives at
a Lincoln Refinement Center.  A gold seal hologram identifies every
Lincoln Assured luxury car.
    "Satisfaction of Lincoln Assured customers in test markets is
extremely high," said Andy McKinnon, Red Carpet Lease brand manager
for Lincoln-Mercury Division. "Nearly 95 percent of customers said
that they would recommend a Lincoln Assured vehicle to a friend. That
helps us build brand loyalty for Lincoln."
    Only Lincolns that meet the following strict quality and condition
requirements are eligible to be sold or leased as Lincoln Assured
vehicles:

    * Newer vehicles with less than 36,000 miles (currently 1994-1997 models
      only)
    * Previously driven Red Carpet Lease vehicles and company service vehicles
    * Vehicles that have not suffered major damage or had poor prior repairs
    * One owner vehicles only
    * Those that meet Lincoln factory standards for interior, exterior and
      mechanical condition

    Lincoln Assured luxury cars are backed by a three-day,
money-back/30-day exchange guarantee and a minimum of
two-year/24,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty, or the
remainder of the original factory warranty, whichever is greater.
Lincoln replaces the brake pads on all Assured vehicles that have more
than 25,000 miles and completes the next required maintenance
interval.
    Lincoln Assured customers receive the Lincoln Commitment, a
comprehensive owner benefits package designed to support buyers'
driving needs.  The program includes 24-hour emergency roadside
assistance, service loaner vehicles for overnight warranty service,
and a trip planning service that provides travel- related information,
maps and trip routing.

CONTACT: Joe Koenig of Lincoln-Mercury, 313-446-4399