Lower Average Prices and Finance Rates Equal Values On 1999 Fords
2 October 1998
Lower Average Prices and Low Finance Rates Equal Great Values On Ford Motor Company's 1999 ModelsDETROIT, Oct. 2 -- Ford and Mercury dealers will be offering great values on 1999 models under Ford Motor Company's new retail incentives, which go into effect October 3. On retail purchases of selected 1999 models, Ford will offer finance rates to qualified buyers through Ford Credit as low as 1.9 percent on contracts up to 36-months, 2.9 percent for terms from 37-48 months, and 5.9 percent for terms from 49-60 months. A $500 cash incentive is available in lieu of the below-market financing. "Ford and Mercury dealers are in a great position to offer their customers unprecedented values as we enter the new model year," said Robert Rewey, group vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford Automotive Operations. "We think the combination of lower average prices on our 1999 models and low finance rates or $500 cash will equal high customer demand for our cars and trucks." "We are able to offer our customers such great values thanks to the combination of Ford's efforts to lower costs and the recent declines in interest rates," said Rewey. Ford has held the line on prices for the past two years while earning record profits for nine consecutive quarters, thanks in part to $4.3 billion in cost savings realized in 1997 and the first six months of 1998. Among Ford's 1999 line-up are several redesigned models, including the new Ford Windstar and Mercury Villager minivans and the Ford Mustang. America's best-selling domestic car, the Ford Taurus, features both a lower suggested starting price for 1999 and a 5-star safety rating in front-end collision testing by NHTSA. The 1999 Mercury Sable also lowered its suggested starting price and earned a 5-star rating, making these two cars the only 5-star rated vehicles in their class. Ford also will continue incentives on remaining stocks of selected 1998 models, with APRs as low as 0.9 percent on contracts up to 48 months and cash amounts ranging from $750 to $2,000. Retail customers will get both the cash and the low finance rate on purchases of popular models such as the 1998 Ford Escort, Contour, Taurus and Ranger and the Mercury Tracer, Mystique and Sable. On purchases of other selected 1998 models, Ford is offering customers either a reduced finance rate or a cash rebate. Examples of the 1998 and 1999 model incentives available from Ford Motor Company follow. Regional incentives may be available and may vary from national incentives. FORD MOTOR COMPANY NATIONAL RETAIL INCENTIVES 1999 Models Available with Below-Market Finance Rates OR Customer Cash: Customer APR Finance Rate on Contracts Up To Cash 36 Months 48 Months 60 Months 1999 Models Effective 10/3/98-1/14/99 Ford Escort, ZX2, $500 OR 1.9% 2.9% 5.9% Contour (excl SVT), Taurus, Ranger, Windstar, E150/ 250 with RV Pkg.; Mercury Tracer, Mystique, Sable, and Villager Ford Crown Victoria, $ 0 4.9% 5.9% 7.9% Mercury Grand Marquis, F-Series (Under 8,500 lbs) Ford Explorer, Econo- $ 0 1.9% 2.9% 5.9% line, Mercury Mountaineer l998 Models Available with below-market finance rates AND customer cash: Customer APR Finance Rate For Term Up To Cash 48 Months 49-60 Months 1998 Models Effective 10/3/98-11/3/98 Ford Escort & Escort ZX2 $1,000 AND 0.9% 3.9% Ford Contour 1,000 0.9 3.9 Ford Taurus 750 0.9 3.9 Mercury Tracer 1,000 0.9 3.9 Mercury Mystique 1,000 0.9 3.9 Mercury Sable 750 0.9 3.9 1998 Model Effective 10/3/98-12/3/98 Ford Ranger 1,000 0.9 3.9 1998 Models Available With Below-Market Finance Rates OR Customer Cash: Customer APR Finance Rate For Term To Cash 48 Months 49-60 Mos. 1998 Models Effective 10/3/98-11/3/98 Ford Windstar 1,500 OR 0.9 3.9 Mercury Villager 2,000 0.9 3.9 1998 Models Effective 10/3/98-1/14/98 Ford Mustang (excl. Cobra) 750 OR 4.9 6.9 Ford Econoline 1,000 3.9 4.9 Ford E150/250 with RV Package 2,000 3.9 4.9 The following 1998 model vehicles are available with reduced-rate financing from Ford Credit (no customer cash alternative): APRs on Retail Contract Terms Up To 48 Mos. 60 Mos. 1998 Models Effective 10/3/98-11/3/98 Ford Crown Victoria 3.9% 5.9% Mercury Grand Marquis 3.9 5.9 1998 Models Effective 10/3/98-1/14/98 Ford Explorer 0.9 3.9 Mercury Mountaineer 0.9 3.9 Ford F-Series Below 8,500 Lbs. 4.9 6.9