FORD SHOWS ATLANTA WHY 2004 IS THE "YEAR OF THE CAR"

Mercury showed off its all-new premium sedan, the 2005-model Mercury Montego. Ford Division featured the 2005-model Ford Five Hundred, Freestyle, Mustang and Ford GT, all new-from-the-ground-up products arriving in showrooms this year. Lincoln Mercury is building momentum and profitable growth - with 11 new products in six segments within the next four years.

ATLANTA, March 9, 2004 - Ford Motor Company's new product barrage landed in Atlanta today as five, all-new-from-the-ground-up vehicles took center stage at the Atlanta International Auto Show. The 2005-model Ford Mustang, Ford Five Hundred, Ford Freestyle, Ford GT and Mercury Montego are just five of the reasons why Ford has declared 2004 as the "Year of The Car." They are part of the largest rollout of new Ford cars in the company's history.

To learn more about the product-led future at Ford Motor Company, the company invited Atlanta news media to an auto show "preview dinner" -- where executives showed new advertising to promote the new models appearing in dealerships later this year. In addition, media were invited to news briefings hosted by Ford and Lincoln Mercury executives on the auto show floor at the Georgia World Congress Center on Wednesday, March 10. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Atlanta International Auto Show runs March 9 through March 14.

Ford Division New Car Launch Manager Stu Smith, Lincoln Mercury Marketing Plans Manager Peter Gilfillan and Lincoln Mercury Large Car Marketing Manager Amanda DeMouthe traveled from Detroit to Atlanta for the product introductions.

Ford Division's Stu Smith gave informal briefings on four of Ford's newest products for 2005:

Ford Five Hundred is a four-door sedan that boasts many of the advantages associated with sport utility vehicles and crossovers -- including cargo capability, versatility, command-of-road seating and all-weather confidence. Ford Freestyle blends the aspirational looks of a sport utility vehicle, the versatility of a minivan and the confidence of an all-wheel-drive sedan. Ford Mustang combines an all-new, fully modern architecture with all the soul that makes a Mustang a Mustang - bold style, a brawny engine and rear-wheel-drive excitement. And, in one of the most anticipated launches in Ford history, the 2005-model Ford GT is a 200 mile-per-hour, racing-inspired supercar - with a stunning low profile and mid-mounted MOD 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 engine.

Lincoln Mercury Marketing Plans Manager Peter Gilfillan told Atlanta media about the product revolution going on within Lincoln-Mercury. Gilfillan said Lincoln Mercury is building momentum and profitable growth -- with 11 new products in six new segments within the next four years.

In addition, Amanda DeMouthe, Lincoln Mercury Large Car Marketing manager, introduced media to Mercury's all-new premium sedan, the 2005-model Montego. The Mercury Montego features modern design, generous interior space, flexible and comfortable seating, class-leading safety features and premium materials.

DeMouthe also highlighted two Lincoln concepts at this year's show that represent the future direction of the brand. Introduced earlier this year in Detroit, the next-generation Lincoln Aviator SUV and Lincoln Mark X convertible concept are in Atlanta so that customers can see them up close and personal.

The Ford GT is scheduled to go on sale later this summer. The Mustang goes on sale this fall and the Ford Five Hundred, Ford Freestyle and Mercury Montego will arrive in dealer showrooms late summer/early fall. Atlanta residents will be able to view Ford's full line-up of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury 2004 products -- including the 2004-model Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable, built at Ford Motor Company's Atlanta Assembly Plant located in Hapeville, Ga.