Ford Celebrates Milestone With Hewlett-Packard

18 August 1997
Ford Celebrates Milestone With Hewlett-Packard

    PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 18 -- Ford Motor Company
celebrated an important milestone in its relationship with Hewlett-Packard
Company today -- the upcoming delivery of the 100,000th Ford
Taurus and Mercury Sable to HP's corporate fleet.
    In recognition of the delivery, Alex Trotman, Ford Chairman and CEO,
presented a $100,000 check to The Yosemite Fund at an employee gathering on
the lawn of HP's headquarters.  The money will be used for the restoration of
the flood-damaged national park.  Lewis E. Platt, HP's Chairman, President and
CEO, also was on hand.
    Ford has been the primary vehicle supplier to HP for 14 years.  HP is
Ford's largest corporate customer.
    "The fact that you've selected our products for your fleet is a great vote
of confidence in Ford Motor Company," Trotman said.  "We're also pleased that
many of you choose to continue the relationship with Ford on a more personal
level by buying the Taurus or Sable you've been using on the job for your
personal use."
    HP employees buy about 40 percent of the Tauruses or Sables after they are
taken out of HP's corporate service.
    Trotman thanked HP employees for providing comments on things they like
about the cars and on things they believe can be improved.
    "Your input does make a difference," Trotman said.  "Your contributions
have helped make Ford's flagship car even better."
    In J.D. Power and Associates' 1997 Initial Quality Survey, which measures
the number of problems per 100 cars, Ford had the largest improvement of any
manufacturer with five among the 12 most improved -- including Taurus and
Sable.  Problems per 100 were cut nearly in half on Taurus (from 132 to 68)
and Sable (from 108 to 61).  That's less than one problem per vehicle.
    J.D. Power and Associates cited Ford's Atlanta Assembly Plant, which
builds Taurus and Sable, as the highest quality plant in the world producing
vehicles for the U.S. market.
    Trotman also recognized HP for its role as a major supplier to Ford Motor
Company.  For many years, HP has provided Ford with a wide range of computer
hardware and software, test and measurement equipment, and production parts
and support services.
    Finally, just for fun, Trotman showed HP employees the fastest Taurus ever
-- the new Ford Taurus race car that will make its debut in NASCAR's Winston
Cup Series at the Daytona 500 in February 1998.
    HP will take delivery of the 100,000th Taurus in September.

SOURCE  Ford Motor Company