Ford Serves Up Focus at the USTA Girls 16 National Open Tennis Tournament

21 November 2000
Ford Serves Up Focus at the USTA Girls 16 National Open Tennis Tournament
    ANN ARBOR, Mich., Nov. 21 Ford Division and its youth-
targeted Ford Focus car will team up as presenting sponsors for the United
States Tennis Association Girls 16 National Open Tennis Tournament to be
played at the University of Michigan's Tennis Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan,
November 23-27, 2000.
    Focus is a natural fit for this tournament of junior tennis players.
Focus marketing revolves around fashion, music, entertainment and sports,
making it a perfect "match" with young car buyers and, in this case, young
female tennis hopefuls.
    "Focus ties-in with the lifestyle of these young female athletes and their
shared interests," said Bill George, Manager Public Affairs Ford Division.
"Since its launch, Focus has been a part of youthful events and this
tournament is right in line with that effort."
    This is a great tournament for junior players and Focus.  The tournament
will feature some of the highest-ranking junior tennis players and just as
these future tennis stars rank in their game, so does Focus with its awards.
Focus has won many awards, including the North American Car of the Year and
the European Car of the Year.
    Twenty-five percent of Focus' sales are with 18 to 25 year old
sophisticated and independent car buyers.  "We hope these young, motivated and
successful girls are future Focus buyers," said George.  "These girls know
what it takes to win and Focus is part of their formula."
    Focus hit dealerships in October of 1999 and was targeted to the highly
influential Echo Boomer market (19 and under) and Gen X (20-35 years old).
    The tournament will be conducted by the non-profit Ann Arbor Area
Community Tennis Association and will feature players from the entire country,
mostly from the Midwest, Eastern and Mid-South areas of the United States.
This tournament will qualify the top six singles players and top two doubles
teams for the direct entry to the USTA SuperNational Championships in Phoenix,
Arizona in December.  All profits from the tournament will be donated to C.S.
Mott Children's Hospital at the University of Michigan medical campus.