---

APCO Becomes Part of Ford - Acquisition of Extended Service Contract Provider Complete

20 July 1999

APCO Becomes Part of Ford - Acquisition of Extended Service Contract Provider Complete

    DEARBORN, Mich., July 20 -- Ford Motor Company
announced today that it has closed the $180 million acquisition of Atlanta-
based Automobile Protection Corporation - APCO.
    As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company, APCO will continue to
be a premier extended service contract provider for all vehicle makes.  Its
core business is the marketing and administering of the EasyCare Certified
Pre-Owned Vehicle Merchandising Program and EasyCare Vehicle Service
Contracts, sold primarily through car and truck dealerships.  APCO also
administers warranty and service contract products under private labels.
    The APCO acquisition is directly aligned with Ford's goal of becoming the
leading consumer company that provides automotive products and services.  A
key part of this strategy is to build profitable growth by expanding
downstream in the automotive value chain.  Acquiring APCO represents another
significant step in Ford Customer Service Division's efforts to become the
number one aftersales and service operation in the world.
    "APCO is a nationally recognized company that has earned a top-tier
position in the all-makes extended service contract market," said Mike Jordan,
vice president, Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD).  "We're pleased to
welcome EasyCare to the Ford Motor Company portfolio of brands."
    Ford Motor Company is the world's second largest automaker.  Its
automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury
and Volvo.  Its automotive-related services include Ford Credit, Quality Care,
Hertz, and Visteon Automotive Systems.