Key Milestones in 50-Year History of Ford E-Series, America's Favorite Full-Size Van for 31 Years

DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 13, 2010; Since 1961, the time-tested Ford E-Series has been there for customers and businesses, providing smart innovations and the right equipment to get the job done. As times and the needs of customers changed, the E-Series evolved to meet them.

  Here, a few highlights from E-Series' storied history:

         Econoline is introduced for commercial customers with three
  1961:  bodystyles: Delivery Van, Pickup and Station Bus

         Club Wagon introduced as passenger and load-carrying vehicle
  1962:  with light towing capabilities

  1963: Seat belts introduced as an option

  1965: SuperVan (extended, bustle-back model) introduced midyear

         Second-generation Econoline vans available in three series: E-
         100, E-200 and E-300 (air conditioning offered for the first
  1968:  time)

  1971: Econoline Parcel Delivery Van added to lineup

         Third-generation Econoline debuts with body-on-frame
         construction, higher gross vehicle weight ratings, improved
         interior package and wider selection of engines. This design
         was offered in the same basic configuration for the next 17
  1975:  years

         Factory-customized, youth-oriented Cruising Van debuts with
  1976:  mod paint schemes, carpeted interior and porthole panel windows

  1978: Econoline chassis cab model debuts

  1981: Higher payloads appear on most models

  1983: Super Wagon reintroduced to lineup

  1987: E-250 eight-passenger Club Wagon added

         Fourth-generation introduced - Van and Club Wagon; Chateau
  1992:  Wagon is MOTOR TREND Truck of the Year

         Econoline attained leadership in virtually every aspect of the
         full-size van market with 48 percent share of its segment, 33
         percent of the van conversion market, 90 percent of the Class C
         motor home conversion market, 40 percent of the parcel delivery
         van market (Econoline chassis), 90 percent of the ambulance
         market (Econoline commercial cutaway chassis) and 39 percent of
  1995:  the passenger van market (Club Wagon)

  1997: New standard V6 engine offered along with the 6.8-liter V10

         E-Series name debuts in Ford literature, along with the E-150
  2001:  Traveler van targeted for families

         Powertrain options now include V8, 6.0-liter Power Stroke V-8
  2005:  turbo diesel and V10

  2006: Last E-Series model produced at Lorain Assembly Plant in Ohio

         First E-Series model produced at Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon
  2007:  Lake

         E-Series debuts as strictly a commercial vehicle; features
         best-in-class capability, an improved chassis for better
         durability and handling, cargo security technologies and the
  2008:  return of the diesel engine option

         E-Series, America's best-selling van for 31 years, celebrates
         its 50th anniversary by offering premium Ford-exclusive
         technology like SYNC(R) voice-activated communications and
         entertainment system and industry-exclusive Ford Work
         Solutions(TM). E-Series vans are available in E-150, E-250
         Super Duty and E-350 Super Duty regular and extended-length
         configurations. Wagons are available in E-150 and E-350 Super
         Duty regular and E-350 Super Duty extended-length
  2011:  configurations

  About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company , a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 159,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln and Mercury, production of which has been announced by the company to be ending in the fourth quarter of 2010. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.