Ford Elects Spanish Language Publisher Kimberly Casiano to Its Board of Directors

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 15, 2003 -- Ford Motor Company announced today the election of Kimberly Casiano, president and chief operating officer of Casiano Communications, Inc., to the Company's Board of Directors.

"Kim is a respected leader and entrepreneur in the world of magazine publishing and in the U.S. Hispanic business community," said Ford Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bill Ford. "We welcome her election to the Board of Directors and look forward to the significant contributions she will make to our company's future success."

Casiano has been leading America's largest and most experienced Hispanic publisher of periodicals and magazines. The privately owned, San Juan-based Casiano Communications' titles include Caribbean Business, a weekly business newspaper covering Caribbean business and industry; IMAGEN, Puerto Rico's leading lifestyle magazine for women; and Buena Vida, a lifestyle magazine targeted to affluent Hispanics. In addition to serving markets in the Caribbean, the company's titles circulate in the U.S. and other international markets.

"The Ford Motor Company is truly a legend in the history of American business, and to play a leadership role at such an institution is a great honor," said Casiano. "It's a responsibility I look forward to fulfilling, particularly as the Ford Motor Company continues on as a global industry leader."

Casiano's election, which is effective immediately, increases the number of company directors to 15.

A native of New York, Casiano and her family have long held leadership roles with organizations at the forefront of the U.S. Hispanic community. Her father, Manuel A. Casiano, Jr., was a founder and board member of ASPIRA, the first organization established in the U.S. to help Puerto Rican and other Hispanic youth obtain scholarships. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Hispanic College Fund, a national organization that awards more than 1,500 scholarships each year to Hispanic youth. She also recently concluded an appointment by the U.S. treasury secretary to the U.S. Savings Bond National Committee.

A magna cum laude graduate of Princeton University and a Harvard University, MBA, Casiano is the first Hispanic female to be elected to Ford's Board of Directors.

Ford Motor Company, headquartered in Dearborn, Mich., is the world's second largest automaker, with approximately 335,000 employees in 200 markets on six continents. Its automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Credit, Quality Care and Hertz. Ford Motor Company celebrated its 100th anniversary on June 16, 2003.