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Ford Vice President Ross Roberts to Retire

17 September 1999

Ford Vice President Ross Roberts to Retire

    DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 17 -- Ross H. Roberts, Ford Motor
Company vice president and president, Ford Investment Enterprises
Corporation, has elected to retire at the end of December, spanning a career
of 37 years of distinguished service with the company.
    "Ross is best known for his stewardship of Ford Division," said Jac
Nasser, Ford Motor Company president and chief executive officer.  "He played
a pivotal role in solidifying Ford Division's position as the top-selling car
and truck brand in the U.S. for 13 years running."
    Roberts began his Ford career in 1962, after serving two years as an
officer in the United States Army.  Over the next 21 years, his field
experience encompassed five districts, the Mid-Atlantic Region, and a wide
range of sales and marketing positions in the Ford and Lincoln Mercury General
Offices.  He served as district sales manager in Ford Division's Louisville
office and Lincoln Mercury's Los Angeles office.
    Since 1983, Roberts has held several key management positions within the
Vehicle Divisions General Offices including general marketing manager in both
Ford and Lincoln Mercury Divisions.  He was elected a vice president of the
company in 1988 and served as the general manager of Lincoln Mercury Division
until June 1991.  At that time he became the general manager of Ford Division,
a position he held until April 1998.  He was appointed to his present position
of president of FIECo at that time and will remain in that position until the
end of the year.
    "His excellent relationship with company personnel and the dealers,
through his personal involvement, has made him a very effective leader," said
Bob Rewey, Ford Motor Company group vice president, Marketing, Sales and
Service.
    "His knowledge and guidance will be missed.  We wish Ross, his wife,
Donna, and their children, Tara, Ross and Brett, many happy, healthy years in
retirement."