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SPECIAL

Ford Territory

SPECIAL

Ford Territory

News Watch Issue 2, Thursday June 14, 2001

Staff, Friday June 15, 2001.

Page 1 of 1

DOUBLE TROUBLE
Ensuring the safety of 11 sets of twins tested the patience and skills of Ford technicians from the Duhig Ford dealership in Essendon, Melbourne last week. They held a briefing on safety for children in motor vehicles, including the correct fitting of child restraints, for the local branch of the Multiple Births Association. Free checks were made on each family's car covering all makes of vehicles from 4WDs to people movers, stationwagons and sedans. Ford Customer Service Division's John Giordano said common problems which showed up during such checks included twisted and frayed straps, and incorrect routing of straps. While most of the adjustments were minor, he said the parents were very appreciative of the service as it gave them peace of mind in knowing that they were helping to make their family car a safer car. The initiative was part of Ford's "Caring for Kidz", an educational program run through dealerships dealing with child safety in motor vehicles.

THE THRILL OF A LIFETIME
It will be the first time behind the wheel of a car for many of the blind and vision impaired people participating in this Sunday's "In the Driver's Seat" being held at Ford Australia's You Yangs Proving Ground outside of Geelong. An initiative of the Lions Club of Geelong – Corio Bay and modeled on a similar event held previously at Sandown Raceway, the event gives people with vision impairment the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a car and to experience the thrill of being in control over various road conditions within the proving ground but with the safety of a driving instructor beside them. Vehicles are fitted with dual controls, with the choice of manual or automatic transmission. Up to 100 drivers are expected to participate in the event, the first of its kind for people in Victoria's western region. The Lions Club's Ray Goodwin says it will be the thrill of a lifetime for many who have been blind from birth and others who have deteriorating eye sight and may not have driven for years. Participants will also have the chance to drive as passengers in Ford Customline vintage cars, motorbikes courtesy of the Geelong Harley Davidson Owners' Group and wild creations from Geelong's Hot Rod Club. "I can't wait to see the look on their faces," comments Ray Goodwin.

FORD JOINS ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK
Ford is joining forces with the City of Greater Geelong in a new network comprising local business managers and environmental professionals with a commitment to minimizing environmental impacts of business practice. Ford Australia President, Geoff Polites, said the company's involvement in the group called BATE (Geelong Business and Environmental Network) reinforces the company's commitment to a sustainable future. "BATE will discuss the role of business in issues such as biodiversity, global warming and the consumption of natural resources," he said. "We have had excellent results with some of our environmental measures recently, including recycling water for reuse at the Geelong Casting Plant, which saves more than 200,000 litres of water per day. BATE provides us with an opportunity to share our knowledge with, and learn from, other businesses in the Geelong area."

FORD SIGNS BIGGEST EVER LPG DEAL
Ford Australia has signed its biggest contract ever of Dedicated LPG Falcons with Westpac Banking Corporation. Westpac will take delivery of 800 Dedicated LPG Falcon Forte sedans for use in its field operations throughout Australia in a deal worth $24 million over the next three years. Westpac's Group Executive, Business and Consumer Banking, Mr Mike Hawker said the agreement would allow Westpac to take advantage of the latest automotive technology ensuring greater environmental and cost efficiencies. "Westpac's agreement with Ford Australia to provide a fleet of dedicated LPG vehicles, and our partnership with Orix Australia as fleet manager, shows how Australian businesses can work together for the environment while continuing to meet their business imperatives," Mr Hawker said.

JAGUAR X-TYPE ON SALE AND IN DEMAND
Jaguar's new X-TYPE is now officially on sale in the UK. Launched last week at showroom events nationwide, Jaguar's new compact sports saloon continues to attract high levels of interest from a wide range of customers. The first of more than 4,000 X-TYPEs ordered before the car went on sale are now with their new owners. Alongside the heavy demand from retail customers, interest from corporate buyers is running at a high rate. The corporate sector will be key to the success of the X-TYPE in the UK, with some 70 per cent of total sales expected to be business users. A number of major companies have already placed the X-TYPE on their user-chooser list, making Jaguar more accessible to company drivers than ever before.

JOB ONE THUNDERBIRD
The first shiny red 2002 Ford Thunderbird rolled off the assembly line at Wixom Assembly Plant in Michigan last Wednesday, marking the official beginning of the vehicle's production run. The plant has built Ford Thunderbirds over the years, beginning back in 1957, with production expected to reach 25,000 units this year. The 2002 model is a dramatically designed two-seat, rear-wheel-drive, 3.9-litre V-8 powered convertible roadster. It comes standard as a convertible and is also available with an optional removable top with classic porthole windows. The American public will have a sneak preview of the model, along with other Ford iconic vehicles such as the Mustang, when it tours small towns and cities as part of a three-month-long nationwide campaign called "Living Legends". It will go on sale in dealerships towards the end of the North American summer.

FORD BRINGS NEW POWER TO THE MARINE INDUSTRY
Ford is bringing new power to the marine industry in North America. Ford Power Products (FPP), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Ford Motor Company, has announced plans to introduce Ford engines that range from a compact I-4 to the V-8 and V-10 Triton engines as new power alternatives in the boat market. For the serious performance boater, Ford will also offer the 5.4-litre supercharged version of the"Lightning"engine that is featured exclusively in the Ford SVT Lightning pickup truck. FPP is also collaborating with Michigan-based Sterling Performance Engines, a specialist in offshore and other high-performance engines, on marinization packages. Ford is opening a new 42,000-sq. ft. facility in Georgia to house the marinization, light assembly and parts operation.

For further information contact:
Ford Australia Communications
Phone: 03 9359 8491

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