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2007: A Year In Review

Top 10 Ford Headlines for 2007

  • Ford’s comeback on track; financial results exceed expectations
  • Ford strikes historic deal with UAW
  • Quality soars at Ford
  • Ford accelerates global product push
  • Ford Sync ushers in new era of connectivity
  • Ford unveils blueprint for sustainability
  • Ford sets pace on safety
  • Crossovers break from the pack
  • Ford snags Jim Farley as global team takes shape

2007-FORD MOTOR COMPANY YEAR IN REVIEW

2007-12-13 19:15 GMT

In 2007, Ford Motor Company continued its transformation into a lean, globally integrated and customer-driven automaker, making progress on all four elements of its plan:

  • Aggressively restructure to operate profitably at the current demand and changing model mix
  • Accelerate the development of new products that customers want and prefer – with advancements in quality, safety and environmental innovation
  • Finance the plan and improve the balance sheet
  • Work together as one Ford team

Aggressively Restructuring
In the first three quarters of 2007, Ford Motor Company earned $88 million – an increase of about $7 billion over the same period a year ago. Performance highlights:

  • Ford North America
    • On plan to return to North American profitability in 2009 by ramping up new product introductions while reducing capacity and structural costs.
    • Ford’s U.S. hourly work force cut by 23,100 positions and salaried workforce by 7,600 jobs.
    • Manufacturing capacity reduced by nearly 1 million units since the end of 2005.
  • Ford Europe
    • Pre-tax earnings, excluding special items, so far this year totaling $774 million, and has posted six consecutive quarters of year-over-year profit improvement.
    • Sales through November were up 5.4 percent across 21 major markets.
  • Ford South America
    • Earned $754 million in the first three quarters of 2007, and has posted 15 consecutive profitable quarters.
    • Market share has reached 10.4 percent, up from 8.4 in 2001
  • Ford Asia Pacific & Africa
    • Ford China sales up more than 27 percent year to date.
    • Small car assembly and engine plant opened in Nanjing, China to produce vehicles for Ford, Mazda and Changan.
    • Announced $500-million expansion of Auto Alliance Thailand for B-car production.
  • Ford Motor Credit Company
    • Ford Motor Credit Company on track to earn about $1.3 billion to $1.4 billion in pre-tax profits in 2007 excluding market valuation adjustments from derivatives.
  • Mazda
    • In March, announced Mazda’s new, four-year mid-term plan – the Mazda Advancement Plan (MAP) – for fiscal years 2007 through 2010.

Accelerating New Products

  • Ford North America
    • On plan for 70 percent of the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury lineup to be new or significantly upgraded by the end of 2008; 100 percent by the end of 2010.
    • Introduced the 2008 Focus, Mustang Bullitt, Ford Taurus, Taurus X, Mercury Sable and Ford F-Series Super Duty.
    • Consumer Reports rated 93 percent of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models average or better in predicted reliability.
    • Lincoln posted the largest sales increase year to date of any luxury brand – 12.8 percent – and has posted 14 consecutive months of retail sales gains.
    • Ford crossover sales in the U.S. rose 63 percent through November compared to a year ago – compared to a 17 percent increase for the entire industry.
  • Ford Europe and PAG
    • Introduced all-new Mondeo, new C-MAX, new re-designed Focus, and new Transit SportVan and Transit 5-cylinder diesel and heavy-duty derivatives.
    • At Frankfurt Show, premiered the new Ford Verve Concept, a signpost for future all-new global B-car models, along with the new Kuga compact crossover.
    • Also at Frankfurt were the new Mondeo and Focus ECOnetic ultra-low CO2 diesel models, plus an all-new 6-speed automatic transmission available on Mondeo, S-MAX, and Galaxy with a diesel engine or an all-new petrol engine.
    • Introduced Jaguar XF, all-new Volvo V70 and XC70 and Land Rover LR2.
  • Ford South America
    • EcoSport is the best-selling SUV in the region.
    • New Fiesta and imported Fusion off to strong start.
    • Camaçari plant cited as industry model for lean manufacturing and supplier integration.
  • Ford Asia Pacific & Africa
    • Introduced new Focus and Mondeo sedans, Thailand-produced Ranger pickup, 2007 Everest and Escape SUVs, and S-MAX.
    • Successful preview of four-door Verve Concept at Guangzhou Auto Show.
  • Mazda
    • Introduced next-generation Mazda6 and Mazda2.
    • Mazda2 won the RJC Car of the Year in Japan.
    • Produced three new concepts reflecting different interpretations of Mazda’s new Nagare design language: Mazda Ryuga (4-seater concept), Mazda Hakaze (compact crossover coupe) and Mazda Taiki (lightweight sports car).

Improving the Balance Sheet

  • Held $35.6 billion in gross cash at the end of the third quarter, an improvement over 2006 despite restructuring costs.
  • Achieved $1.8 billion in automotive cost savings in first nine months of 2007, including $600 million in the third quarter.
  • Completed trust-preferred exchange for Ford common stock in July.

Working Together as One Ford Team

  • Reached four-year U.S. labor agreement with the UAW without work stoppage.
  • Improved integration of global product development under Derrick Kuzak’s leadership.
  • Unified global marketing efforts by hire of Jim Farley, who also oversees U.S. marketing, sales and service.

For more information about Ford Motor Company and its global initiatives, visit http://media.ford.com

TOP 10 FORD HEADLINES FOR 2007

Ford’s comeback on track; financial results exceed expectations

Ford strikes historic deal with UAW

Quality soars at Ford

Ford accelerates global product push

Ford SYNC ushers in new era of connectivity

Ford unveils blueprint for sustainability

Ford accelerates growth in emerging markets

Ford sets pace on safety

Crossovers break from the pack

Ford snags Jim Farley as global team takes shape

PHOTO UPDATE

Ford S-Max Auto 1 of Europe

UAW and Ford Across the table

Ford Sync

VIDEO UPDATE

Ford has the most top-quality vehicles in the auto industry

Ford Motor Company has the most top quality vehicles in the auto industry, according to the much-respected Initial Quality Survey of J.D. Power and Associates.

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QUOTATIONS

“We remain committed to executing the four priorities of our plan - restructuring the business to operate profitably, accelerating the development of new products that our customers want and value, funding our plan and improving our balance sheet, and working even more effectively together as one Ford team.”

Alan Mulally
Ford President and Chief Executive Officer

“My connection with Ford goes way back to my first car, a 1966 Ford Mustang… I am excited to make that trip once again. Ford is one of the world’s most admired companies because of its ability to develop iconic products that connect with customers.”

Jim Farley
Ford Group Vice President of Marketing and Communications

“We are continuing to achieve efficiencies throughout the vehicle in areas that can quickly lead to fuel economy improvements today.”

Derrick Kuzak
Ford Group Vice President of Global Product Development

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