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SPECIAL

Ford Territory

SPECIAL

Ford Territory

News Watch Issue 8, Friday, 5th October 2001

Staff, Friday October 5, 2001.

Page 1 of 1

FORD TAKES STRONGEST EVER LINE-UP TO BATHURST
Ford Australia is mounting its largest effort in the history of the Bathurst 1000km event with 11 officially supported teams consisting of 26 drivers to take on Mount Panorama this Sunday. The team brimming with confidence going to Bathurst is Shell Helix Racing's Steve Johnson and Paul Radisich. Not only are they Ford's highest placed drivers in the championship chase, they also have the runs on the board with victory at the recent VIP Pet Foods Queensland 500 endurance event. Bathurst will also see new cars for Ford Tickford Racing and Gibson Motorsport. The 1996 Bathurst winner Craig Lowndes and the experienced Neil Crompton will drive the Gibson Motorsport car. "This is the first Falcon AUXR8 built in the Gibson workshop and following some detailed testing it feels extremely good," according to Lowndes. Also sporting a new set of wheels for the race is FTR duo, Glenn Seton and Steve Richards. "I'm really looking forward to Bathurst. I've got a two-time winner in Steve partnering me, as well as a team that is extremely motivated to taking FTR's first win on the mountain," Seton said.

BATHURST COMES TO GEELONG
Bathurst may be 1000 kilometres away, but the sight and sound of the V8 Supercars will be felt in downtown Geelong this Sunday with a massive street party to coincide with Australia's great race. The Ford Discovery Centre, Ford Australia and the City of Greater Geelong have combined to stage a great day for race fans to show their support for Ford racing. All the action will be screened live via the Ten Network on an 8.3 metre x 5.2 metre big screen erected in Gheringhap Street, Geelong outside the Ford Discovery Centre. As well as live Bathurst coverage, fans will also get to see some of the great moments of Bathurst as well as Ford Racing which is celebrating its 100th worldwide anniversary. The entire street will be closed off with food and drink stalls operating ? the Discovery Centre will be open from 7.30am to 7.30pm. Other entertainment on the day includes rides for children, a display of a Ford Tickford Racing V8 Supercar identical to that being raced at Bathurst, an extensive range of Ford, Ford Racing and team merchandise plus auctions of merchandise and photographs signed by Ford race drivers.

FORD GOES BOLDLY FORWARD AT SYDNEY MOTOR SHOW
Patrons at the 2001 Sydney International Motor Show, opening next Friday, can expect a bold blend of performance and style at the Ford stand. The company is presenting the theme, "Hot and Active Performance", with the emphasis on street-smart, youth-oriented designs and exhilarating performance. There will be a host of youth-oriented concept vehicles from versatile off-roaders to soft-top convertibles and stylish utes. Sydney will also get a glimpse of the all-new Ford Explorer and some dashing new colours on vehicles in Ford's current line-up. Another big attraction on the Ford stand will be the world's number one selling vehicle, the new F-series, back in Australia after a nine-year absence.

FORD-EYED TOURISTS CONVERGE ON MELBOURNE
Some of Australia's most one-eyed Ford fans are visiting the company's operations this week. They are all members of the Ford Forum website chat room ? people of all ages who log on to the internet to discuss their mutual passion ? the blue oval. Ford Forum members number in the hundreds in Australia and can link up with thousands more like-minded fans in countries around the world through a global web site. Ford is hosting a group of 40 members from around Australia whose ideal holiday in Melbourne is to immerse themselves in all Ford things for a week. There are young children and families as well as the expected 'petrol heads' in the group who, among other things, are touring all Ford Broadmeadows and Geelong plants and Tickford Vehicle Engineering. The tour finishes with a street party in Geelong to celebrate the Bathurst 1000 race (see story above) and a tour of the Ford Discovery Centre. Ford Australia President Geoff Polites, who regularly logs on to the Ford Forum website and chats to members, said he was delighted to be able to put a face to some of the names when he greeted the tour. "It was a great opportunity to find out what makes people loyal to a brand ? what we are doing right and what we are doing wrong. It really was an invaluable experience, and a great gee-up for the race on the weekend."

FORD WALKS TO CURE DIABETES
Ford globally is encouraging people to exit their cars and start walking as part of the company's support for a special cause. Last year, Ford employees and their families walked in 32 countries to raise $US1.4 million for a cure for diabetes and the company is aiming to do even more this year. The "Walk to Cure Diabetes" is being held in Victoria this year on Sunday, October 21 with the Melbourne event at Albert Park Lake ? better known as the location of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix -- and Ford is hoping to surpass the number of 650 employees who joined 16,000 people in the city for last year's event. Ford is also a major sponsor Australia-wide for the event this year. It is estimated that between 100 and 120 million people suffer from diabetes worldwide, an illness that has no cure. Ford alone has 48,000 employees worldwide with diabetes. By supporting the Ford global walk team, employees help to raise funds that go directly to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, including vital research in Australia to find a cure.

WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL HOT SPOTS ON THE MAP
Ford is helping to educate Australian children about the world's environmental 'hot spots' through a joint initiative with the National Geographic Society. During September, over 7800 primary schools throughout Australia received a gift of a world conservation map, a donation from NGS and Ford. The map, produced by the World Wildlife Fund and National Geographic's famed cartographic division, highlights the 200 richest, rarest and most endangered terrestrial, marine and freshwater areas on the planet. The map is designed to highlight the premise that by conserving the broadest variety of the world's habitats and species, we can conserve the ecological and evolutionary processes that maintain the web of life. The map also directs children and teachers to a website, www.nationalgeographic.com/wildworld, which offers a more in-depth look at eco-regions around the world. The map is part of a global NGS/Ford alliance which aims to use the Society's media entities, such as magazines and television channels, to examine and report on the earth's "vital signs" ? its oceans, freshwater and living creatures.

FORD STANDS BEHIND NEW FUEL CELL DEVELOPMENT WITH NEW COMMITMENT, INVESTMENT
Ford Motor Company is joining with Ballard Power Systems and DaimlerChrysler to develop technology designed to speed up the commercialization of environmentally friendly fuel cell engines. The deal will see Ballard Power assume ownership of Ford's Ecostar Electric Drive Systems and DaimlerChrysler's XCELLSiS fuel cell engine developer. "We consider our announcement to be a landmark event," said Wayne Booker, Vice Chairman, Ford Motor Company. "The three companies have just taken a step forward in bringing products to market that could change the landscape of the automotive industry." The deal involves both Ford and DaimlerChrysler increasing their share of ownership in Ballard and a commitment to Ballard being their sole source of fuel cell systems. Fuel cell systems combine hydrogen from methanol, natural gas or other sources with oxygen in the air to generate electricity without combustion and with zero emissions. Mr Booker explained that Ford's increased investment in Ballard was the result of "our confidence that Ballard can efficiently and effectively manage the development of fuel cell systems and drivetrains and provide Ford with complete fuel cell powertrains for our vehicles."

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

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