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Ford Increases Forecast of U.S. Auto Industry Sales

11 March 1999

Ford Increases Forecast of U.S. Auto Industry Sales

  Strong Economy, Confident Consumers Prompt Ford to Increase 1999 Forecast
                          By 500,000 Cars and Trucks

    DEARBORN, Mich., March 11 -- Ford Motor Company
announced today that it has increased its forecast of 1999 U.S. auto sales to
a range of 15.5 to 16 million cars and trucks.  Previously, Ford said U.S.
auto sales would range from 15 to 15.5 million.
    "A strong economy, confident consumers, and their response to innovative
products, have prompted us to re-evaluate our outlook for U.S. auto sales,"
said Jac Nasser, Ford President and CEO.  "Several factors are likely to keep
growth in consumer spending strong," continued Nasser.  "Job and income
growth, low inflation, and low interest rates are helping to buoy consumer
attitudes.  On top of that, healthy competition is providing consumers with a
wide array of innovative cars and trucks, which further improves value to the
consumer.  The consumer is definitely in the driver's seat."
    In 1998, sales of new cars and trucks in the U.S. were 16 million
(including sales of heavy trucks) -- the highest sales since the record year
of 1986 (16.3 million), and the fifth year in a row that U.S. industry sales
have been over 15 million.