Ford — October Sales Results

While the majority of the press clippings from October read “Ford Motor Company Sales Decline 10%” it’s very important that we set the record straight! Ford retail sales totaled 107,894 units…up 8% for the month (while industry sales were down 1%)! This is the 2^{nd month this year where we delivered a year-over-year increase (we also delivered a year-over-year increase in June). This accomplishment now sets up the opportunity to deliver our 1st year-over-year quarterly increase for the first time in 7 years. October Sales Results
· Growing the Car Business o Fusion retail sales of 8,012 up 51% YOY
o Taurus retail sales of 3,202 up 17% YOY, up 5% over September and a CYTD segment share of 11.5% (up 40% YOY)
o Over 1,200 2008MY Focus sales (with limited stocks).}

· Dominating CUVs/SUVs · Edge retail sales of 9,709 – officially the number one vehicle in its segment CYTD and well on pace to exceed 120,000 in 2007

· Escape retail sales of 8,488 up 38% YOY
· Escape Hybrid retail sales up 25% YOY
· Combined CUV/SUV retail sales up 21%.

· Defending Truck Leadership · F-Series outsold Silverado by 3,025 units … CYTD lead now stands at 62,377 units
· Super Duty retail sales up 11% YOY

Ford Motor Company Aids California Fire Recovery

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Ford Motor Company today pledged to assist in the wildfire relief and recovery efforts in Southern California through the donation of money, vehicles and volunteer manpower. In addition, Ford Motor Credit Company is offering customers impacted by the wildfires the opportunity to delay some vehicle payments.    Ford Motor Company immediately is donating 20 specially equipped vehicles — 11 Ford F-250 and F-350 Super Duty trucks and nine Ford Expedition sport utility vehicles – to fire and rescue departments in some of the areas most devastated by the fires.

    “Many Southern California Ford employees and Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers share the concerns of their neighbors as they also have been affected by this devastating fire,” said Hal Dewsnap, Ford Lincoln Mercury Los Angeles regional manager. “Local fire and rescue officials told us they have an urgent need for heavy duty work trucks and SUVs. We located the 20 specially equipped vehicles at local dealerships and they are on their way to local fire and rescue squads.”

    Additionally, Ford Motor Company Fund is contributing $100,000 to the San Diego Chapter of the American Red Cross to help with relief efforts.

    “The San Diego Chapter Red Cross has a critical need for medical, food, water and other supplies, as well as counseling support for hundreds of residents forced from their homes,” said Jim Vella, president of Ford Motor Company Fund. “We are responding to this need immediately.”

    Longer term, Ford employees in Southern California will be called upon to volunteer time to assist in community recovery and relief efforts through Ford Volunteer Corps, a corporate-wide program established by Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman Bill Ford after the December 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia.

    In addition, Ford Motor Credit announced today that it would offer some payment relief to customers impacted by the wildfires through the Ford Credit Disaster Relief Program. The program allows customers to delay one or two monthly payments, resuming their regular payment schedules when their situations improve.

    The offer is available to customers who are leasing or have purchased vehicles from Ford Credit, Jaguar Credit, Land Rover Capital, Mazda American Credit, PRIMUS or Volvo Car Finance. Ford Motor Credit customers who are eligible for the Disaster Relief Program will be sent letters with instructions on how to register.

    Customers also may call the toll-free number listed for their brand to register for the Ford Motor Credit Disaster Relief Program:

    — Ford Credit: 1-800-723-4016 — Jaguar Credit: 1-800-945-7000 — Land Rover Capital Group: 1-877-507-2264 — Mazda American Credit: 1-800-945-4000 — PRIMUS Financial Services: 1-800-945-4000 — Volvo Car Finance: 1-800-770-8234

    Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 260,000 employees and about 100 plants worldwide, the company”s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford”s products, please visit http://www.ford.com.

    Source: Ford Motor Company
　　

PRNewswire

Friday, Oct. 19: Warriors in Pink in the Spotlight

 Ford’s Warriors in Pink, Howie Mandel and the models of NBC’s highly popular “Deal or No Deal” are working together to say “NO DEAL” to breast cancer. A special episode of “Deal or No Deal,” will air Oct. 19 at 8 p.m. ET /7 p.m. CT to raise breast cancer awareness, the first step in early detection, and support Ford’s long standing relationship with Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Dressed in pink, the “Deal or No Deal” models and Mandel will direct viewers to www.fordcares.com to find out more about Ford’s efforts and how everyone can get involved to help in the fight against breast cancer.

Ford Motor Company Names Jim Farley to Lead Marketing & Communications

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 11 — Ford Motor Company President and Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally today announced the appointment of Jim Farley as Group Vice President of Marketing and Communications. 

Farley joins Ford in mid-November, after nearly two decades at Toyota and Lexus.

“We are thrilled to welcome one of the most successful and talented leaders in the industry to the Ford Motor Company team,” said Mulally.  “Jim Farley is well known for innovative marketing strategies that connect great products to today’s and tomorrow’s customers.  Ford’s quality and vehicles are now on par with the best of the competition.  We look forward to Jim’s leadership to combine world-class marketing with our world-class products worldwide.”

Farley will be the company’s most senior marketing leader and will report directly to Mulally.   

Working with the company’s worldwide business unit leaders and global product development organization, Farley will lead Ford’s drive to connect even more closely with customers through integrated marketing, advertising, digital communications, brand development, product planning, research, product communications and public relations.  In line with that vision, Ford’s global Communications and public relations team also now will report to Farley.

Farley, 45, most recently was Group Vice President and General Manager of Lexus, responsible for all sales, marketing and customer satisfaction activities for Toyota’s luxury brand.  He joined Toyota in 1990 in the strategic-planning department after receiving his MBA from the UCLA Anderson School.  Since then, he has served in such senior leadership positions as Vice President and General Manager of Toyota’s Scion brand, Group Vice President of Marketing for the Toyota Division, General Manager of Product Management for Toyota Europe and a variety of product planning, marketing and advertising roles.

Farley says he is passionate about joining Ford in this global leadership role and is eager to help lead the company’s transformation plan toward automotive leadership and profitable growth.

“My connection with Ford goes way back to my first car, a 1966 Ford Mustang.  I bought it when I was 15, restored it and drove it from California to Michigan.  I am excited to make that trip once again,” said Farley.  “Ford is one of the world’s most admired companies because of its ability to develop iconic products that connect with customers.  I look forward to building on that strength by engaging customers and introducing even more of them to the great family of Ford.”

Feedback on Focus

Media are starting to publish their drive impressions of the new 2008 Ford Focus.  Here are a few highlights from some of the first reviews:

• “Already one of the top-selling small cars on the market, the compact Ford Focus gets a makeover for 2008 that should help boost its popularity. Although the new Focus rides on the same chassis as before, it has a new body, greatly upgraded interior, more air bags and some nifty new technology.” – San Antonio Express
• “Small is the next big thing, Ford executives say. And they’re betting their redesigned 2008 Ford Focus — with its tech-savvy Sync system — will draw big crowds despite its compact stature … Sync should help the Focus make a few more shopping lists. It lives up to the hype.  And, of course, a good car will help too.” – Detroit News
• “One thing is undeniable: the new Focus has literally stepped up a class in quality,” – FocalJet.com
• “The 2008 Focus is a well built machine and the workers take pride in producing the car we love… give the 2008 Focus a chance. You will be impressed, I promise.” – Focusfanatics.com
• “The new Focus is well-built, quiet and comfortable in the front or back. And it arrives at a time when compact cars are fashionable (again), as American consumers downsize their lives and upgrade their gas mileage.” – Detroit News
• “What a change from the ’07!  … The Focus is very responsive, agile and even though it has a lower horsepower than, say a Mustang GT, it will hold its own on hills, dales and straight-aways. It corners nicely and the absence of almost all wind noise is a pleasant plus … if you’re buying a Focus (or one of the other 12 Ford vehicles that will offer [SYNC] by the end of the year) and you don’t spend the $395 to order it if it’s not standard in your vehicle, find a designated driver to take you to the nearest detention center…you’re not smart enough to be out in public by yourself.” — Sun-Times News Group
• “One of the highlights of the outgoing Focus was the fun-to-drive factor. Happily, that’s one thing that hasn’t changed. Where the old car was bouncy and playful, the new one is a bit more mature and buttoned down, yet still involving and enjoyable. Driving on unfamiliar roads in Seattle, I didn’t have a chance to press the Focus to its limits, but I did take it through the bends at a pretty good clip and was impressed by how well it clung to the road.” –About.com
• “Taking the Focus out for short drives this week reveals a much improved, more confident and competent car. Steering is more responsive, throttle input more direct thanks to a new electronic system, and brake pedal feel improved with new aluminum calipers (these also contribute to reduced weight). The stiffer body provides for a more solid on-the-road overall feel. The new Focus is also much quieter inside, with an interior design that is much improved.” – AutoPacific Vehicle Voice