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TH!NK, Ford's Newest Brand, Moves to Southern California

8 May 2000

TH!NK, Ford's Newest Brand, Moves to Southern California

        California to be New Home of Ford's Electric Vehicle Business

    SAN DIEGO, May 8 TH!NK Group, Ford Motor Company's
electric vehicle enterprise, announced today the relocation of its
headquarters from the corporate campus in Dearborn, Michigan to southern
California.
    Ford's newest brand will develop and market a line of zero-emission
battery electric vehicles.  In addition, its new San Diego area headquarters
will include engineering and research on fuel cell-powered and other advanced
technology vehicles.  TH!NK Group senior executives made the announcement at
the 6th Annual Clean Cities Conference in San Diego.
    "Ford Motor Company started a trend among domestic automakers 20 years ago
with the opening of a design studio in Irvine," said John Wallace, executive
director of TH!NK Group.  "Since then, Ford has continued to expand its
presence in California as well as its commitment to the state.  Now, TH!NK
will join the trend by locating its headquarters in southern California," he
added.
    In 1998, Lincoln Mercury headquarters moved to Irvine, California.  Then
in February of this year, Ford Motor Company announced the establishment of a
North American headquarters for its Premier Automotive Group (PAG) in the same
location.  In addition to Lincoln Mercury, PAG includes Volvo, Jaguar and
Aston-Martin.  Mazda headquarters are also located in Irvine.
    TH!NK Group is already being welcomed to the area by various groups and
organizations including the Air Resources Board.
    "The Air Resources Board is excited and pleased with Ford Motor Company's
decision to locate their TH!NK headquarters in southern California.
California is the home of the electric vehicle movement and it is appropriate
that a world leader in automotive innovation such as Ford have their advanced
vehicle facilities located here," said Dr. Alan Lloyd, Air Resources Board
chairman.

    TH!NK vehicles:  environmentally responsible, innovative fun
    TH!NK Group, introduced in January at the Detroit International Auto Show,
is an organization dedicated to providing innovative and environmentally
responsible personal mobility to consumers.  The electric-powered TH!NK city
is currently sold in Norway, with a special U.S. demonstration project
currently in the works at the Presidio in San Francisco.  TH!NK bike fun and
TH!NK bike traveler are also electric powered and go on sale in the U.S. this
summer.  TH!NK neighbor, an electric two or four seat low speed personal
mobility vehicle, will be available in the U.S. by the end of this year.
    "We are bringing a full line of electric-powered vehicles to market, which
has never been done before," says Wallace.  "We are also developing an
innovative order and delivery system with the help of the Internet.  This is
breakthrough innovation for our customers."
    TH!NK Group is comprised of two entities:  TH!NK Mobility is a limited
liability corporation devoted to producing and marketing a full line of
battery electric vehicles.  TH!NK Technologies is the research and development
arm of the group, concentrating on fuel cell and other advanced electric
transportation drive systems for Ford Motor Company vehicles.

    Southern California location fits the TH!NK "lifestyle"
    TH!NK's California location will offer the group a chance to attract new
talent and take advantage of Ford development facilities already existing in
the area.  By locating in California, TH!NK employees can be closer to their
customers and gain a better understanding of their transportation needs and
expectations.  It will also bring TH!NK closer to alliance partners like the
California Fuel Cell Partnership, the first collaboration between automobile,
technology and energy companies to develop and demonstrate fuel cell vehicles
under "real world" conditions.
    Wallace adds that, aside from business advantages, the region simply
offers a nice place to live.  "I've spent many years in this state and believe
the lifestyle here is supportive of the TH!NK brand and our approach to
serving our customers."
    The TH!NK Mobility management team, key marketing and sales people and a
number of engineers will be making the move with their families.