---

Ford Announces New Retail Distribution Initiatives

19 May 1998

Ford Announces New Retail Distribution Initiatives in Salt Lake City

    DETROIT, May 18 -- Ford Motor Company has reached
an agreement in principle with Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers in Salt Lake
City to establish a Ford Retail Network (FRN) in that market, according to
Ross Roberts, president Ford Investment Enterprises Corporation.
    "We are heartened with the reception by the dealers in Salt Lake City to
the FRN concept.  These are significant first steps in setting up a formal
retail network," Roberts said.  "When established, this move will not only
enable our Salt Lake dealers to compete more effectively against the real
competition -- but also will help them deliver a consistently superior
customer experience at our sales and service outlets."
    The new approach to retailing cars and trucks includes the establishment
of a new entity involving 15 Ford, Lincoln Mercury and Mazda dealerships in
the Salt Lake City market area.
    Ford's FRN concept involves fewer, larger sales and service outlets
supplemented by neighborhood service centers providing convenient,
competitively-priced service to customers.
    Ford is moving forward with similar enterprises this summer in Tulsa and
San Diego.
    "Customers will be the real winners in this new way of doing business,"
Roberts said.  "This approach will provide the ultimate convenience to
customers both when they purchase or lease a vehicle and when they have their
vehicle serviced."