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Focus Wins Top Awards, Sets Torrid Sales Pace

4 February 2000

Focus Wins Top Awards, Sets Torrid Sales Pace

    DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 4 -- The 2000 Ford Focus has dominated
the automotive award circuit garnering most major awards issued by journalists
this winter, capped by the prestigious North American Car of the Year award,
making it the first car to be named Car of the Year in both North America and
Europe.
    Focus also recently won the Automobile Magazine Automobile of the Year
award, MotorWeek's Best Small Car award, Car and Driver 10 Best Cars award,
Favorite Small Car R.L. Polk North American International Auto Show Consumer
Survey, and American Woman Motorscene's Most Vivacious Personality award.
    The praise from the automotive press has been mirrored by early consumer
acceptance.  Since its October launch, Focus has sold more than 74,000 units,
and in January was the second-best selling small car in America.  Designed and
marketed with the youth market in mind, Focus has attracted young people with
a quarter of its buyers age 25 and under.  No other vehicle has a higher
percentage of buyers under 25.  Focus has exceeded Ford sales expectations
from California to New York, drawing a younger, more diverse clientele to Ford
dealerships.
    The U.S. and Canadian awards continue the overwhelming acclaim for Focus
that began with the 1999 European Car of the Year award.  Since winning
European Car of the Year, Focus has won over a dozen awards and continues to
be recognized by automotive journalists as a breakthrough car that is raising
the standard for all small cars.
    "Focus proves that a limited budget need not preclude driving quality and
enjoyment," said Car and Driver.  "Its interior is warm and inviting ... the
space inside Focus is impressively generous ... its suspension is sure-footed
under all conditions."
    "It is very much a driver's car, one that car enthusiasts can embrace
without reservation," said Automobile Magazine.  "The Focus is not just a good
value, it's a great one."

    Episodic launch
    Focus will continue to create excitement as it launches a series of
Limited Edition Focuses with strong appeal to the youth market.  The Sony
Limited Edition Focus offers the Sony Xplod sound system with 460 watts of
thumping audio.  In dealerships this spring, The Sony Limited Edition Focus
has already sold more than half of its 7,000 production run.
    Also on sale this spring is the Kona Limited Edition Ford Focus, designed
with the Kona bike company to fit the needs of young bike enthusiasts.
    Also coming this spring are Focus' "Tailored for You" kits which allow
customers to create their own personal Focus.  The kits include the "Have
Spot, will Travel" kit for pet lovers, and the "Mobile Pro Kit" designed for
commuting professionals.

    List of awards:
    North American Car of the Year 2000
    European Car of the Year 1999
    Favorite Small Car R.L. Polk North American International Auto Show
      Consumer Survey
    Automobile Journalists Association of Canada 3 Best New Car Awards 1999,
      Best New Family Sedan (ZTS), Best New Economy Car (LX), and Best New
      Sports Coupe (ZX3)
    Automobile Magazine Automobile of the Year
    MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Best Small Car 2000
    American Woman Motorscene, Most Vivacious Personality Award
    Popular Science 1999 Best of What's New Grand Award
    Car and Driver Ten Best Award
    Poland Turn of the Century Car
    Auto Express Magazine Car of the Year 1999
    What Car Magazine Best Small Hatchback
    Auto Express Magazine Best Small Hatchback
    Coventry Evening Telegraph Car of the Year
    Sport Compact Car Winner in Eight Great Rides competition
    Goldenes Lenkrad (Golden Steering Wheel) Germany
    AAA's Top Car under $15,000
    Detroit Free Press Car of the Year
    The Detroit News Personal Favorite
    Scottish Car of the Year 1998/99
    Denmark Car of the Year 1999
    Riceree Formale, Italy; Car of the Year 1999
    Estonia Car of the Year
    Irish Semperit Car of the Year for 1999
    Czech Republic Car of the Year 1999
    Finland Car of the Year 1999
    Norway Oslopostens Car of the Year
    Lithuania Car of the Year
    Romania Car of the Year
    Slovenia Car of the Year
    Northern Ireland Maxol Car of the Year
    Argentina CPA Imported Car of the Year
    Sweden, Motorforaren Family Car of the Year 1998
    Netherlands Family Car of the Year
    Belgium, Family Car of the Year 1999
    Playboy Poland Best Family Car 1999
    Auto One Readers Choice Award, Pan European, Croatia, Czech Republic,
      Netherlands, Poland & United Kingdom
    Hungary Test Car of the Year