NEW FORD S-MAX AND NEW FORD GALAXY MADE THEIR WORLD DEBUT AT 2010 BRUSSELS MOTOR SHOW

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Ford of Europe unveiled new versions of its top-selling S-MAX and Galaxy at the 2010 Brussels Show. With fresh designs and the latest evolution of Ford's kinetic design cues, they feature new interior materials and features, a range of more efficient powertrains and a host of driver focused technologies aimed at safety and comfort.

"We've given both models a fresh new look and more premium appeal, but it is beneath the skin that the major changes have been made," said John Fleming, Executive Vice President and Chairman & CEO, Ford of Europe. "S-MAX and Galaxy are the first European Ford models to benefit from our global EcoBoost family of direct-injection, turbocharged, petrol engines delivering more power and performance from a lower displacement powerplant, yet with impressive fuel economy and low CO2 emissions. And that is just the start of the 2010 S-MAX and Galaxy story."

These are the first cars to be available with Ford's all-new, high efficiency, 2.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine. Producing 203 PS (149 kW) it joins a significantly improved
2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel, with 140 PS (103 kW), plus a new 163 PS (120 kW) variant. Additionally, the smooth and effortless Ford PowerShift double wet-clutch transmission system is available for the first time on Ford's large car range; it will be standard equipment with the EcoBoost petrol engine and optional for both Duratorq diesels.

A range of innovative new safety and convenience features debut in the Ford range on versions of the new S-MAX and Galaxy, including a Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®), and new Rear Door Power Child Lock facility.

Sophisticated, Flexible Manufacturing
As with previous models, the new S-MAX and Galaxy share the same assembly line with the Mondeo at Ford of Europe's Genk manufacturing facility in Belgium.

A highly sophisticated, flexible and lean manufacturing process allows Ford to adjust the sequence and production quantity of different vehicles within its large and luxury car range, ensuring that it can respond very quickly to changes in customer demand.

More than 12 million vehicles have been built Genk plant since it opened in 1964. The Belgian facility is one of the most modern vehicle assembly plants in Europe, and a cornerstone of Ford of Europe's lean manufacturing strategy. It currently employs some 5,000 employees.

FORD EUROPEAN SALES GAINS CONTINUE WITH BEST JULY AND YEAR-TO-DATE MARKET SHARE IN 10 YEARS

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Ford, the No. 2 best-selling new vehicle brand in Europe, increased its market share for the seventh consecutive time last month, resulting in the company’s best July and year-to-date market share performance since 1999.

Ford of Europe had 9 percent market share in its main 19 European markets, up 0.6 percentage points from July 2008. Ford’s share for the first seven months of 2009 was 9.1 percent, an increase of 0.5 percentage points from the same period a year ago.

In total, Ford sold 125,200 new vehicles in its main 19 European markets in July, up 5 percent, making it the second month in a row this year that Ford has posted a sales increase from the prior year period. Ford’s 5 percent volume increase contrasts to a 1.5 percent industry decline in the same month.

“As we are moving into the second half of the year, we are encouraged to see Ford at a 10-year high market share for July and, as a result of this, firmly established as Europe's second best-selling new vehicle brand in Europe,” said Ingvar Sviggum, Ford of Europe’s vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service.

The sales success was driven by strong customer demand for the latest Ford products across the line-up, including the Fiesta, new Ka, and best-selling Focus. The company’s product portfolio allowed it to improve market share in 13 of its main 19 European markets. The improving European results follows news of positive sales performance in other key Ford markets around the world in July, including China, the U.S. and Canada.

In the first seven months of 2009, Ford of Europe registered 871,400 vehicles in its 19 main markets, down 7.3 percent over the same period in 2008. This compares with a total industry decline of 12.2 percent in that period.

“We're also pleased to have increased sales volume for the second consecutive month, while the industry is still declining,” said Sviggum. “The industry figures show, however, that despite the positive impact of various national vehicle scrappage schemes, the overall trend is still negative and the underlying market weak.”

Sviggum added: “We strongly believe that these incentive schemes should continue for as long as practically possible, and then be phased out in an orderly manner to avoid any dramatic reduction in market demand that could damage the still fragile improvement we have seen in recent months.”

July Market and Model Sales Highlights:
Markets:

• Ford was market leader in the U.K., Ireland and Hungary; in Hungary, share was at 17.8, up by 7.8 ppts. on the same period 2008, the highest share since 1994.
• Ford’s sales volume in Germany increased by 45 percent (while industry grew 24 percent) in July, and the company had its highest monthly share there since June 2004.
• Similarly, Ford Austria’s July sales were up by 45 percent, to a record high for the month of July since 1994.
• Ford continues to be the leading imported brand in Italy, with volume up by 35 percent, despite the Italian industry being up by only 3 percent in July.
• Sixty-one percent of Ford passenger cars sold went to retail customers in the Euro 19 markets, up from 47 percent in July 2008.
• Ford was among the three best-selling brands in 13 of 19 European markets.

Models:

• Ford of Europe’s three top-selling vehicles (19 main markets) were the Fiesta (39,900), the Focus (28,700), and new Ka (10,500).
• In Germany, the Fiesta became segment leader in July, the first time since the vehicle’s market entry there in October 2008.
• In the U.K., where Fiesta sales were up by over 26 percent vs. the same month 2008, Fiesta remained the industry’s best-selling vehicle.
• In June, Fiesta was both Europe's second best-selling car and the leader in the small car segment.
• In July, 39,900 Fiestas were delivered to customers in Europe -- 14,500 units more than the previous Fiesta model sold in July 2008.
• New Ford Ka continues to be a success in the market despite the economic downturn. Ford sold 10,500 units in July (up 7,500 on July last year).
• Ford Focus remained No. 2 best-selling vehicle across the industry in the U.K., behind the Fiesta.
• The Ford C-MAX was the best-selling foreign vehicle in its segment in France.
• Transit had its best July performance since 2003 (Euro 19 markets).

July Year-To-Date Market and Model Highlights
Markets:

• Market leader in the U.K., Ireland and Hungary.
• Italy (share up by 2.0 ppts. to 9.7 percent) and the UK (up by 1.5 ppts. to 17.9 percent share) had the highest share gains in the five largest markets in the first seven months of 2009.
• Year-to-date sales volume increased by 37 percent in Germany (vs. an increase of 21.3 percent for the industry).
• Ford was among the three best-selling brands in 12 of its Euro19 markets.

Models:

• The three best-selling vehicles in the first seven months of 2009 were the newFiesta (277,700), Focus (183,600) and Transit (70,300).
• In the first seven months of 2009, Fiesta sales were up 75,000 over the sameperiod in 2008. Approximately 340,000 Fiestas have been sold since the car was launched last autumn. Seventy-four percent of all Fiestas sold year-to-date were to retail customers (Euro19 markets).
• 62,300 Ford Ka vehicles were delivered to Ford customers this year. Eighty percent of all Ka sales (Euro 19 markets) year-to-date were to retail customers.
• The Ford C-MAX was leading its segment in Italy, as was the Focus Wagon.
• Ford S-MAX, Focus and Mondeo were among the top three sellers in their segments in Spain for the first seven months of 2009.
• Kuga saw highest sales growth in the compact SUV segment year-to-date in Spain.
• Focus was best-selling industry vehicle in the first seven months in Hungary in 2009.

FORD S-MAX TOPS SECURITY LEAGUE FOR THIRD YEAR IN A ROW

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Ford S-MAX has won the large MPV class in the British Insurance Car Security Awards, for the third year in a row, with Galaxy yet again named as runner-up.

Supported by security experts Thatcham, the Department for Transport, the Home Office and UK insurers, the awards are the highest official recognition of vehicle security in the UK.

S-MAX – European Car of the Year 2007 – has received the highest score in its class at the awards every year since its launch in Britain. Once again, Ford Galaxy was a close second in the category, reaffirming Ford’s reputation for excellent active and passive security systems.

Ford of Britain managing director, Nigel Sharp, commented: “This award is both testament to the dedication and expertise of Ford’s vehicle security team and a ringing endorsement of Ford MPV security that our customers can trust.”

Standard security features on S-MAX include Thatcham Category 1 alarm, remote-control deadlocks, engine immobiliser and visible VIN numbers.

Ford S-MAX is available from £19,895, on-the-road.

FORD'S SPRING OFFERS

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Ford is tempting customers with an exciting range of spring special offers on popular models. Buyers can celebrate the arrival of the new season with a new car featuring reduced low-rate finance at 3.9 per cent across the range, generous customer savings and free added features. These offers are available now until June 30, 2009.

FIESTA

The stylish new Fiesta Zetec is now offered with free Bluetooth connectivity and voice control (worth £150) plus a customer saving of £500. The new 'On-The-Road' (OTR) price is just £11,795.

FOCUS

Customers ordering the acclaimed and sporty Focus Zetec can save a total of £2,400 with its special OTR price of £15,040. This includes a saving of £1,700, free Bluetooth and voice control worth £150, and free Sport Pack worth £550, which includes 17-inch alloy wheels and privacy glass.

The new Focus Zetec S model also benefits from the same offers, and starts at £16,040 OTR. A £1000 deposit allowance is added for all Focus customers.

KUGA

The popular Kuga crossover now comes with free Bluetooth and voice control worth £150, and the Appearance Pack which is worth £200 and includes aluminium finish roof rails and privacy glass. Kuga Prices now start from £21,790.

MONDEO

Ford Mondeo customers choosing the Zetec series will get a free Zetec Sport Pack worth £500, which includes 17-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler and sports suspension. The Mondeo Zetec has an OTR price of £18,840, while a £1000 deposit allowance is also added for all Mondeo customers.

S-MAX & GALAXY

S-MAX Zetec and Galaxy Ghia owners already enjoy a host of luxurious standard features, but will get maximum benefit from the brighter days thanks to the addition of a free panorama roof worth £700. S-MAX and Galaxy customers will also benefit from a £1,000 deposit allowance.

FORD GALAXY AND S-MAX: NO.1 FOR RELIABILITY ACCORDING TO DEKRA

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• Ford Galaxy and S-MAX have the lowest failure rate overall
• Ford Galaxy and S-MAX are clear winners in the 'MAVs with up to
  50,000 km mileage' group
• Ford Fiesta, Fusion, Focus and C-MAX also score Top 3 ratings
• DEKRA survey based on the results of 15 million vehicle checks

COLOGNE, December 17, 2008 – Ford of Europe's latest generation of Multi-Activity Vehicles have convinced the German vehicle testing agency DEKRA e.V. In DEKRA's latest 'Failure Report 2009', the Ford Galaxy and S-MAX models not only prove their reliability by winning in their group with up to 50,000 km mileage, but gain additional recognition for being vehicles with the lowest overall failure rate in the DEKRA vehicle certificate tests in Germany. The impressive results show that 96.7 per cent of all tested Ford S-MAX and Galaxy vehicles had no fault whatsoever.

The Ford S-MAX and Galaxy MAV models were successfully launched in Europe during 2006, giving customers new levels of choice with a sporty 5+2 seater (S-MAX) or the full 7 seater Galaxy. Ford S-MAX has already gained many other important awards, including the "European Car of the Year 2007" trophy.

Other models in the Ford of Europe passenger car portfolio gaining recognition are the Focus and C-MAX which came second in their respective segments. Fiesta and Fusion models also gained a creditable third place in the 'Minicars' group with mileages between 100,000 and 150,000 km.

The evaluation by DEKRA is based on a database developed from 15 million vehicle checks on roadworthiness.

Kevin O'Neill, Vice President Quality Ford of Europe, is delighted: "We have been working diligently over the last few years to not only create new products acclaimed for their driving quality, but to ensure customers enjoy superior reliability over the long term. We are very pleased with these results for Ford as the DEKRA rankings are highly regarded by the industry and customers alike."