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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 Models
    DETROIT, 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