New WearCare Program from Ford Credit Addresses Key Concerns

5 August 1999
New WearCare(TM) Program from Ford Credit Addresses Key Concern Of Auto-Leasing Consumers
       New Product Protects Customers from Excess Wear and Use Charges

    DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 5 -- To help protect consumers against
unexpected end-of-lease charges, Ford Credit, the world's largest automotive
finance company, has introduced WearCare(TM), an enhancement to Ford Credit's
Red Carpet Lease and one of the first optional coverage programs offered by a
major automaker to reduce customer liability for potential excess wear and use
charges at lease-end.
    Available for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury leases written after
June 24, 1999, WearCare provides for a waiver of up to $2,500 in chargeable
damage related to excess vehicle wear and use.  The WearCare program gives
Ford Credit customers greater control over potential lease-end charges for
vehicle wear and tear that may occur beyond normal everyday use, including
dents, scratches, paint damage, carpet stains and tire wear.
    "We developed WearCare based on input from our customers, some of whom say
they'd like greater assurance that they will be protected from unexpected
end-of-lease charges related to bumps and scratches on the leased vehicle,"
said Tim Gates, Red Carpet Lease Manager for Ford Credit.  "Our goal at Ford
Credit is to make the Red Carpet Lease experience as simple, straight-forward
and worry-free as possible.  Because WearCare is optional, this new program
provides an added layer of flexibility for customers who want greater peace of
mind."
    The benefits of the WearCare program are not limited to customers.  In
fact, according to Gates, negotiating over end-of-lease charges can be equally
frustrating for the more than 5,000 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers who
offer the Red Carpet Lease Program.
    "WearCare will make the lease-end process run very smoothly for both
dealers and customers, virtually eliminating any possible points of contention
that might prevent a customer from buying or leasing another vehicle," said
Gates.  "Because WearCare was designed with customer satisfaction in mind,
dealers appreciate the added value this brings to their customer's lease
experience."
    WearCare is an optional program available for a nominal additional cost
(approximately $8-$12 per month) on 24 to 36-month leases.  There is no lessee
deductible, and WearCare may be canceled by the customer at any time during
the original term of the lease.
    The program is already proving to be a success:  since its introduction
late last month, more than 1,000 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers have signed
up to offer their customers WearCare.
    "The early success of the WearCare program is a testament to our
philosophy of continually responding to customer needs and achieving the
highest levels of customer satisfaction," said Gates.  Since 1996, Ford Credit
has earned five J.D. Power awards for customer and dealer satisfaction -- more
than any other auto finance company.
    Ford Credit is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company
and is the world's largest automotive finance company.  Ford Credit provides
vehicle financing in 36 countries to more than 8 million customers and more
than 11,000 automotive dealers.
    For more information about Ford Credit, WearCare, or other features and
benefits of the Red Carpet Lease program, consumers should visit their local
Ford, Lincoln, Mercury dealer or contact Ford Credit's Customer Service Center
by calling 800-727-7000 [TDD:  800-727-7145].  Consumers also can find useful
tools and information to help them make an informed leasing decision by
visiting the Ford Credit web site at http://www.fordcredit.com .
    Contact:  Craig Keller of Edelman Worldwide for Ford Credit,
312-240-2640; or Kristen Kinley of Ford Credit, 313-594-1096