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Ford Increases Four-Door SuperCab Production

7 May 1999

Ford Responds to Market Demand by Increasing Four-Door SuperCab Production and Announcing Name for Newest Truck Innovation

    *  F-Series SuperCab mix increased to 80 percent of production.
    *  Ranger four-door SuperCab mix raised to 60 percent.
    *  All new 2001 Ford pickup to be called F-150 SuperCrew.
    *  Ford sets truck sales record for 12th month in a row.

    DEARBORN, Mich., May 6 -- Ford Division, the only truck brand
to offer a full line of four-door pickup trucks, today announced plans to
increase the production mix of both the four-door F-Series SuperCab and Ranger
four-door SuperCab as consumer demand for the versatility of more doors
increases.
    Ford also revealed plans to call its all-new four-door, full-
size pickup the F-150 SuperCrew.  The innovative new truck, which will be the
first of its kind when it goes on sale next year, was introduced at the North
American International Auto Show in January.
    "Pickup truck customers are clearly signaling what they want," said Al
Giombetti, Ford Division truck group brand manager.  "Our four-door SuperCabs
have gone from an industry innovation to a customer expectation.  We're
responding today by increasing our four-door mix and preparing for tomorrow
with another industry first, the all-new F-150 SuperCrew.
    "No other truck brand in the world offers a full range of choice for four-
door convenience, beginning with the compact Ford Ranger, through the F-Series
lineup, to the over 8,500-pound GVW F-Series SuperDuty," added Giombetti.

    Increased four-door Ranger and F-Series production mix
    Presently, close to 70 percent of the under 8,500-pound F-Series trucks
produced by Ford are SuperCab models, which have four-doors as standard
equipment.  Beginning immediately, Ford is increasing SuperCab mix to nearly
80 percent in response to higher than anticipated dealer orders.
    Similarly, Ford is increasing the mix of Ranger four-door SuperCabs from
30 percent to 60 percent of production.  The fourth door on Ranger SuperCab is
a $695 option.
    "The compact pickup market is clearly going four doors, following the
F-Series lead," said Giombetti.  "The consumer preference is reflected in Ford
Ranger sales, which rose 26 percent in April, making it the fourth best-
selling vehicle in the U.S. this year."
    In the hottest truck market ever, Ford remains the best-selling truck
brand in the industry, a position held for 13 years in a row.  In 1999, Ford
truck sales have increased 17 percent, with 12 consecutive months of new sales
records.
    Ford dealers welcomed the news.  Ford Dealer Council Chairman, Ron Boyer
said, "We are excited that Ford is responding so quickly to our customers'
needs and providing dealers with in-demand vehicles."

    F-150 SuperCrew
    The Ford F-150 SuperCrew will be the first under 8,500-pound gross vehicle
weight full-size pickup in the industry offering the room and capability of a
full-size SUV (like the Ford Expedition) and the functionality of a pickup.
Today, roughly 80 percent of customers are asking for the popular four-door
F-Series SuperCab model for carrying cargo and for occasional rear-passenger
use.  Consumers indicated a desire for a larger rear cabin to accommodate up
to six adult passengers -- without sacrificing the capability of the pickup
box.  Hence, the introduction of the SuperCrew.
    "The SuperCrew name reflects both the vehicle image and changes that are
taking place in the truck industry," Giombetti said.  "The 'crew' today can
just as easily be a work crew or Mom and Dad and their crew."
    The F-150 SuperCrew models will be built at the Kansas City Assembly Plant
in Missouri.
    In calendar year 1998, F-Series sales reached 836,629 -- the most sales
for any car or truck since 1978.  F-Series has been the best-selling vehicle,
car or truck, for the past 17 years.  The F-150 SuperCrew extends the range
even further.
    Ford Division, the largest automotive marketing and sales division in the
world, is home of the top-selling U.S brand for the past 12 consecutive years
with 1998 combined Ford car and truck sales of 3.3 million.  Celebrating its
50th anniversary, Ford Division is home to 11 product lines, including: the
Ford F-Series pickup, the number one selling vehicle in the world; the Ford
Ranger, the top-selling compact pickup; and the Explorer and Expedition, the
top-selling compact and full-size SUVs in the industry.