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Ford Motor Company and Bolt Launch Cars.bolt.com

17 April 2000

Ford Motor Company and Bolt Launch Cars.bolt.com; New Car Channel on Bolt.com Answers Needs of Online Youth

    NEW YORK, April 17 Ford Motor Company and Bolt, Inc., a
leading online communications platform for 15- to 20-year-olds, recently
launched cars.bolt.com, a Ford-sponsored section that is the comprehensive Web
community site for young automotive enthusiasts.  Cars.bolt.com is the first
initiative in a multi-year alliance with Bolt to actively engage its more than
two million members in sharing their auto experiences, and creating vehicles
for today and the future.
    On the site, members of cars.bolt.com, can pit their favorite vehicles,
manufacturers or anything else vehicle-related in a head-to-head comparison in
the "Bumper to Bumper" section.  They can get the lowdown on the latest
vehicle trends in the "Wheel Deal" section.  In "Talking Shop," members can
submit mechanical or design questions to Ford engineers and designers and
share their favorite car-related experiences in "Car Stories."
Car-enthusiasts can also submit photos of their cars in a virtual cruising
strip at the "Parking Lot."
    "With its two million strong member base and its member-created content,
Bolt represents an excellent opportunity to learn from America's youth about
their automotive interests," said Elena Ford, director eMarketing, Ford Motor
Company.
    "Whether they are used for transportation or to express their
individuality, cars play an important role in the move towards independence
for most young people," said Dan Pelson, president and CEO of Bolt, Inc.
"Bolt is dedicated to empowering our members by bringing them premier services
to enhance their online experience.  We believe our partnership with Ford will
provide the information that our members want and need in their drive for
independence."
    Bolt members interact on cars.bolt.com through the message boards where
sample topics include discussions on the best American and import cars, the
heritage behind today's car manufacturers and how to customize your car.
Weekly polls survey Bolt members on issues ranging from the coolest kind of
sports vehicles to the best classic cars, while member-created Tagbooks allow
Bolt members to provide valuable insight and opinions on what they like and
look for in their vehicles.
    During the New York International Auto Show, (April 22-30), Bolt will
sponsor the attendance of approximately 100 of its 15- to 20-year-old members
to check out the innovations in the automotive industry offered by both Ford
Motor Company and others.

    ABOUT FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Ford Motor Company is the world's largest producer of trucks and the
second-largest producer of cars and trucks combined, marketing and selling
approximately seven million vehicles globally through its seven brands last
year.  Ford Motor Company employs approximately 345,000 people in plants,
offices and laboratories to serve consumers in more than 200 countries and
territories.  Ford Motor Company is also one of the largest providers of
financial services worldwide through Ford Credit and related businesses.  Ford
Motor Company provides consumers and commercial financial services through
2,400 branches in 33 countries.

    ABOUT BOLT
    Bolt, Inc. is a leading integrated global communications platform for
15- to 20-year-olds.  Bolt has more than two million registered members
worldwide and provides proprietary interactive services and communication
tools that enable teens around the world to have a collective voice on what is
important in their lives.  The site offers its members free communication
services including email, voice mail, voice chat, Tagbooks, People Search,
Bolt Notes, message boards,  instant messaging and wireless services.
Marketing partners include AOL, Yahoo!, MSN Hotmail and Lycos.  Strategic
partners include Ford Motor Company, AOL, Time Warner and AT&T.  Advertisers
include Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, The Coca-Cola Company, Intel,
Levi's and several dozen other blue chip companies.  Bolt.com has sites in the
UK, Canada and Australia and is headquartered in New York City.