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2008: A YEAR IN REVIEW

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2008: A YEAR IN REVIEW


OUR PROGRESS:

Every year, Ford Motor Company has reason to proudly look back on its progress, and 2008 is no different. We recognize that the economic challenges we all face toward the latter half of 2008 are daunting. But thanks to our careful planning and difficult sacrifices, we are positioned to weather the storm and stay focused on our plan to deliver affordable fuel economy for millions of people in cars they want and value.

What makes this year special is our significant progress in the areas that are important for Ford and for our customers: quality, fuel efficiency, safety, and technology. When you add to that some unique milestones that could only happen at Ford, it all adds up to a year of some significant achievements.

Our Great New Products

New 2009 Ford F-150

New 2009 Ford F-150: More Capability, More Choice, More ‘Smart’ Features For America’s Truck

[media.ford.com: Press Release

The vision for Ford’s truck team was clear: Redesign America’s favorite truck inside and out to give customers unrivaled capability, unprecedented choice and a host of smart, game-changing features. The result is the new 2009 Ford F-150, the new benchmark in the full-size pickup segment from the industry’s truck leader – which has built more than 33 million F-Series pickups since 1948.

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Released 2008-11-24

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Lincoln’s New Flagship Sedan

Lincoln MKS: Modern Design, Leading Technology Come Standard on Brand’s New Flagship Sedan

[media.ford.com: Press Release]

Lincoln MKS is the all-new Lincoln luxury flagship, a dynamic and elegant vision of the Lincoln design DNA that is meticulously crafted with the largest selection of comfort and convenience technology features of any other luxury sedan in its class, including: Adaptive Cruise Control, Intelligent Access with Push-button Start, next-generation SecuriCode™ Keyless Entry, Adaptive HID headlamps with Auto High Beam, Rain-Sensing Wipers, Forward Sensing System, Rearview Camera System and Easy Fuel™ capless refueling.

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Released 2008-11-24

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2009 Flex Overview

2009 Flex Overview: Provocative Ford Flex Dares to Be Different

[media.ford.com: Press Release]

Now it’s safe to add daring and intriguing to your list of adjectives describing Ford vehicles – the new Flex is here. The distinctive design of the new 2009 Ford Flex provokes and polarizes opinions. With its signature side grooves, all-black greenhouse and distinct roof, it is like no other vehicle on the road.

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Released 2008-11-24

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The All-New Ford Fiesta

The All-New Ford Fiesta: Production Begins Of a Small Vehicle Going Global

[media.ford.com: Press Release]

Volume production of the new Ford Fiesta, the first of a generation of new global small Ford cars, started at the company’s Cologne plant in Germany. This Fiesta has been conceived and developed to meet the demands and expectations of customers around the world. It is also the blueprint for future Ford global product development, bringing together Europe, the Americas and Asia.

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Delivering Quality

Ford Focus: Most Improved Model

Fuel Economy, Technology Make Ford Focus Most Improved Model in J.D. Power And Associates’ APEAL Study

[ford.media.com: Press Release]

In June, the Ford Focus was recognized as the most improved vehicle in the industry’s top study measuring customer-pleasing design, content, and vehicle performance. The J.D. Power and Associates’ 2008 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, showed Focus raised its score over last year by 88 index points. Ford’s compact car performed better than the segment average in every category.

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Virtual Manufacturing Technology

Virtual Manufacturing Technology A Big Factor Behind Ford’s Continually Improving Quality

[ford.media.com: Press Release]

As an industry leader in virtual technology, Ford Motor Company’s use of these technologies is a big factor of what’s behind the company’s soaring quality performance. Ford’s virtual ergonomic tool set predicts and eliminates movement and fatigue issues for assembly operators using digital employees known as Jack and Jill. The virtual build tool set ensures manufacturing feasibility long before physical prototypes are built, allowing designers, engineers and suppliers to make upstream, cost-efficient fixes.

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Ford Quality Equal to Best

Ford Quality Equal to Best – Including Toyota and Honda

[media.ford.com: Press Release]

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles continue their impressive quality gains, collectively improving for the fourth straight year and moving into a virtual tie with Honda-Acura and Toyota-Lexus-Scion for the 2008 model year, according to the latest U.S. Global Quality Research System (GQRS) study.

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J.D. Powers & Associates: Ford Ranks Highest

J.D. Powers & Associates: Ford Ranks Highest in New-Vehicle Sales Satisfaction in Indonesia

JD Powers & Associates: Press release

Ford ranks highest in overall new-vehicle sales satisfaction in Indonesia, according to the J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2008 Indonesia Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study. The study examines seven factors that contribute to overall satisfaction with the new-vehicle purchase and delivery experience. In order of importance, these factors are: delivery process; delivery timing; deal; dealer facility; salesperson; paperwork; and sales initiation.

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Delivering Fuel Efficiency

Ford Econetic Range of Ultra-Low CO2 Models Launched

Ford Econetic Range of Ultra-Low CO2 Models Launched at Frankfurt Motor Show

[media.ford.com: Press Release]

Ford of Europe is offering its customers ultra-low CO2 alternatives for selected car lines with the launch of a new range of Ford ECOnetic models at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. These cars will use a combination of the latest common-rail diesel powertrains together with other carefully-selected features engineered to reduce CO2 emissions to the absolute minimum.

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Ford Prepares to Launch EcoBoost Engines

Ford Prepares to Launch EcoBoost Engines to Deliver Affordable Fuel Economy for Millions

[media.ford.com: Press Release]

EcoBoost is Ford’s near-term answer to significantly improving fuel economy for our customers. The EcoBoost family of four- and six-cylinder engines uses turbocharging and direct injection technology to deliver up to 20 percent better fuel economy and up to 15 percent fewer CO2 emissions versus larger-displacement engines. EcoBoost builds upon today’s affordable gasoline engine and improves it.

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New 2010 Ford Fusion

New 2010 Ford Fusion, Fusion Hybrid Offer Leading Fuel Efficiency, Smart New Technologies

[media.ford.com: Press Release]

For the 2010 model year, the new Ford Fusion lineup expands to include an all-new hybrid model that offers class-leading fuel economy, besting the Toyota Camry hybrid by at least 6 mpg in the city. Fusion will offer three fuel-efficient gasoline engine options – the Duratec 2.5-liter I-4 and enhanced 3.0-liter V-6 and 3.5-liter V-6 Duratec engines. Fusions equipped with the 2.5-liter I-4 engine are expected to deliver at least 3 mpg better on the highway than the Honda Accord and 2 mpg better than the Toyota Camry.

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Ford’s SmartGauge with EcoGuide

Ford’s SmartGauge with EcoGuide Coaches Drivers to Maximize Fuel Efficiency on New Hybrids

[ford.media.com: Press Release]

Ford’s SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide gives hybrid owners a more-connected, fuel-efficient driving experience by coaching them on how to optimize performance of the 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids. SmartGauge uses two high-resolution, full-color LCD screens on either side of the speedometer to show different levels of information, including fuel and battery power levels, average and instant miles-per-gallon. Growing leaves and vines track and reward a driver for good fuel efficiency.

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Major Fuel Economy Commitments

Ford Makes Major Fuel Economy Commitments

[no Ford Press Release for this story]

Ford has committed to deliver fuel economy that’s best in segment for every new or significantly fresh new vehicle that we launch with its volume powertrain. Vehicles that delivered that result in 2008 included the Ford Escape, Escape Hybrid, Focus, Flex and Expedition, Mercury Mariner, Mariner Hybrid and Lincoln Navigator. The 2010 Ford Fusion, Fusion Hybrid, Mercury Milan and Milan Hybrid are now joining that growing list.

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Delivering Safety

16 TOP SAFETY AWARDS

Ford has More Top Safety Picks and U.S. Government Five-Star Safety-Rated Vehicles Than any Other Automaker

[media.ford.com: Press Release]

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has awarded Ford Motor Company 16 “Top Safety Pick” ratings, besting Honda’s second-place tally of 13. The latest vehicle to earn this rating is the new 2009 Ford F-150, which was bestowed with the highest rating for front and side impact tests and in evaluations of seats and head restraints. Ford has been aggressively implementing safety technologies, across its vehicle lineup, such as the exclusive AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control). Electronic stability control is a required feature to qualify for IIHS’s Top Safety Pick.

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Ford’s All-New FG Falcon Receives A Five-Star Safety Rating from ANCAP

Ford’s All-New FG Falcon is First Australian-Built Car to Receive A Five-Star Safety Rating from The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP)

[media.ford.com: Press Release]

The petrol FG Falcon sedan range was awarded the maximum five-star safety rating with a total score of 34.6 points (out of a possible 37 points), giving it the highest score ever recorded by a locally-produced car in Australia. This positions the FG Falcon at the forefront of vehicle safety in Australia, with the recently released all-new model generating a higher point score than many significantly higher-priced, premium European vehicles with established reputations for world-class safety.

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Ford Kuga Achieves Best Overall Rating

Ford Kuga Achieves Best Overall Rating For Its Class In Euro NCAP Safety Test

[media.ford.com: Press Release]

In the latest phase of Euro NCAP safety tests the all-new Ford Kuga compact crossover has achieved the best combination of star ratings, giving the vehicle a unique position in the Euro NCAP Small Off-road 4×4 group. Awarded the maximum five stars for Adult Occupant Protection, this rating is enhanced by four stars for Child Occupant Protection and three stars for Pedestrian Protection.

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Ford Leads with Most ‘Top Safety Picks’

Ford Leads All Automakers with Most ‘Top Safety Picks’ and Most Government ‘Five Star’ Ratings

[media.ford.com: Press Release]

Ford Motor Company has earned more “Top Safety Pick” ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) than any other automaker with a total of 16 to date. Ford surpassed its closest rival Honda this week (Sept. 25) when four of its 2009 models – Ford Flex, Ford Fusion, Lincoln MKS and Mercury Milan – achieved “Top Safety Pick” ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Ford also has more 5-star government crash test ratings than any other automaker.

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Ford Launches Blind Spot Mirror

Ford Launches Industry-First Side Mirror Design on 2009 Edge Minimizing Blind Spot Risk

[media.ford.com: Press Release]

2009 Ford Edge receives the Blind Spot Mirror, an industry-first innovation, as standard equipment beginning this fall. The Blind Spot Mirror replaces traditional side view mirrors and features an integrated convex spotter mirror that provides an optimized view of the driver’s blind spot.

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Ford’s Latest Safety Brakethrough

Ford’s Latest Safety Brakethrough – Collision Warning With Brake Support – Coming In 2009

[media.ford.com: Press Release]

Ford to introduce new “active” safety radar warning system, Collision Warning with Brake Support, in 2009 to help drivers avoid rear-end accidents. This technology uses radar to detect moving vehicles ahead and warns the driver of danger with an alarm and warning light, along with helping drivers stop more quickly. Collision Warning with Brake Support is one of three new radar-based active safety technologies Ford is launching in 2008 and 2009. The others are Adaptive Cruise Control and BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross Traffic Alert.

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Ford’s New MyKey System

Ford’s New MyKey System Helps Teens Drive Safer, Conserve Fuel; Gives Parents Peace of Mind

[media.ford.com: Press Release]

MyKeyTM allows parents to limit speed and audio volume to encourage teens to drive safer and improve fuel efficiency. Harris Interactive Survey shows that many parents would allow teens to drive more often if their vehicle was equipped with MyKey, which will debut as a standard feature next year on the 2010 Ford Focus and will quickly be offered on many other Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models.

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Delivering Technology

Ford Work Solutions

Ford Work Solutions: Expanding The Capability And Productivity Of America’s Favorite Trucks

[media.ford.com: Press Release]

Ford is further expanding its ‘smart’ features for truck customers, announcing today a collection of industry-exclusive technologies for F-Series trucks and commercial E-Series vans that will help make business owners more productive and successful.

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Popular Ford Sync System Updated

Popular Ford Sync System Updated, Expanded; ‘911 Assist’ Connects Emergency Medical Help

[media.ford.com: Press Release]

Ford Motor Company continues to build on its award-winning Ford SYNC™ in-car connectivity system. In 2008, SYNC expanded to nearly all Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars and trucks, and new features were announced including the “911 Assist” feature that will help drivers connect with emergency assistance in the event of an air bag deployment.

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Only @ Ford

Soldier wins new 2010 Mustang

Soldier Serving In Iraq Wins “Mustang Stories” Contest, Trip To L.A. Show, New 2010 Ford Mustang

[media.ford.com: Press Release]

Few things are more American than the Ford Mustang. And fittingly enough, the winner of the “Mustang Stories” online contest is U.S. Army Specialist Kory Chesher, a member of the 1st Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division serving in Iraq. Online voters selected Chesher’s story from the top 25, giving him the grand prize of a new 2010 Ford Mustang GT Coupe. Chesher describes his relationship with the Mustang as “20 years of love, addiction and obsession.”

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First Ever Hybrid Pace Car

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid To Pace Ford 400 Field; First Ever Hybrid Pace Car In Nascar Sprint Cup

[media.ford.com: Press Release]

The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and 2010 Ford Fusion Sport have been chosen to be the official pace cars of the Ford 400, the NASCAR Sprint Cup season finale and the final race of Ford Championship Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday. The 2010 Fusion Hybrid will be the first hybrid electric vehicle ever to lead the field to the green flag at a NASCAR Sprint Cup event.

Both the Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Sport will be decked out in NASCAR-inspired camouflage paint schemes.

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Ford Focus Instruments Raise Funds for Charity

Ford Focus Instruments and Rock Heroes Raise Funds for Charity

[media.ford.com: Press Release]

Ford’s unique orchestra made up entirely of instruments constructed from Ford Focus car parts, was used in the company’s latest TV advertising campaign. The Focus car parts orchestra has now recorded a charity track, played a gig in the Royal Albert Hall and is going on tour - all to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

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Ford Ka Cameo

Bond Movie Role for New Ford Ka

[media.ford.com: Press Release]

The highly-anticipated new James Bond adventure, ‘Quantum of Solace’, features a cameo appearance from Ford’s fresh-faced new model, the all-new Ford Ka. The ‘Quantum of Solace’ Ka is unique with metallic gold paint and an exclusive exterior graphics and interior trim combination.

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Ford’s 9 Millionth Mustang

Ford Motor Company Builds 9 Millionth Mustang

[media.ford.com: Press Release]

On April 23rd, 2008, Ford Motor Company announced it had built the 9 millionth Mustang. The GT Convertible Mustang is heading west to be delivered to a dealership in Iowa.

The Ford Mustang, approaching its 45th anniversary on April 17th, 2009, is one of the most widely recognized vehicles in the world. Today, one of every two sports cars sold in America is a Ford Mustang. The Mustang is also Ford Motor Company’s longest-running nameplate. Mustang was introduced on April 17, 1964, at the New York World’s Fair.

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Ford Model T Turns 100

Ford Model T Turns 100: Centennial Celebrations Underway For The Historic Icon

[media.ford.com: Press Release]

The car that put the world on wheels, the Ford Model T, is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2008, and a year-long series of celebrations have been planned to honor the iconic vehicle. Celebrations began when Ford featured a pristine collection of historic Model Ts from across America at the prestigious Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.

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