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SPECIAL

Ford Territory

SPECIAL

Ford Territory

News Watch Issue 9, Friday, October 26, 2001

Staff, Friday October 26, 2001.

Page 1 of 1

FORD V8'S TAKE TO GOLD COAST STREETS

Ford's leading V8 Supercar teams will take to the streets of the Gold Coast for three non-championship races to support the popular Indy 300 Champ Car event this weekend. The opportunity to race on the same program as Ford Racing's CART teams is a highlight of the racing year for the Ford V8 teams. The last V8 event similar to the Gold Coast was the Australian Formula One Grand Prix in March, where Paul Radisich of Shell Helix Racing took two wins from three races contested. Radisich also took two wins from three on the Gold Coast last year. "Although it's not a championship race everyone does try very hard to win," said Radisich. "These types of races can cause a whole lot of damage if you get mixed up with other drivers ? so I try to avoid that by being at the front." This is a consideration for every team as the next championship race is being held at Pukekohe in New Zealand just two weeks after the Gold Coast event. Teams will be loading their transporters on a ship just days after completing the Gold Coast event. After practice on Thursday, the V8 teams race for qualifying and a top-10 shootout on Friday. Race one and two will be held Saturday afternoon with the final race on Sunday.

FORD EMPLOYEES WALK FOR A RECORD

A record number of 600 Ford employees turned out in capital cities around Australia last weekend for a charity walk in aid of diabetes research. It is the third consecutive year employees have participated in the "Walk to Cure Diabetes" in Australia and the first year the company has supported the event as national sponsor. By far the largest contingent of Ford employees, numbering 500, gathered in Melbourne for the five-kilometre walk around Albert Park Lake joining thousands of others from the general community. Ford had high visibility with a marquee near the starting point, a mock-up race car and Mustang on display, a BBQ for Ford families and entertainment for children. Ford identities putting on their walking shoes included Vice Presidents of Manufacturing and Information Technology respectively, Rita Bateman and Brenda Richardson as well as Managing Director of Ford Credit Australia, Geoff Green. Diabetes research is a cause supported globally by Ford with employees in 32 countries walking to raise money. Ford alone has 48,000 employees worldwide with diabetes. It is estimated between 100 and 120 million people suffer from diabetes globally, an illness that has no cure.

EXPLORER DUE FOR PUBLIC RELEASE

With the public release of the all-new Ford Explorer in Australia in December, automotive journalists are gathering in Queensland next week for the official launch of the vehicle. Completely new from the ground up, the range features two models that come standard with a sophisticated independent rear suspension (IRS) system and an optional all-new, all-aluminium, 4.6 litre V8 engine. Ford's SUV and Light Commercial Marketing Manager, Kevin Lillie, said he drove Explorer prototypes when they first arrived in Australia for the local development program and was very impressed by the general refinement and vehicle dynamics. "Once the unique local suspension settings were finalized, we had a product that was even better suited to our local conditions," he explained. The vehicle will be put through its paces by journalists during a drive program providing city, bush and beach conditions from Brisbane through the Sunshine Coast hinterland and finishing at Noosa.

ELECTRIC COMMUTER ON THE ROAD IN NEW YORK

New York City commuters have a new means of 'clean' transportation thanks to a joint initiative between the New York Power Authority and Ford Motor Company's TH!NK Mobility. The initiative will enable commuters in surrounding counties to lease the TH!NK city EV for $US199 a month from Ford. Participants will use charging stations at no cost at commuter train station lots, where their vehicles will be re-powered during the workday and ready to go for the trip home. They will also have the option to install charging stations at their homes. Select local Ford dealers will lease TH!NK city vehicles to consumers and provide maintenance services. The TH!NK city is a two-passenger electric vehicle with a range of 50 miles and a top speed of 55 miles per hour. The vehicle is being used in New York as part of a 400-unit EV pilot program by Ford across the US. This includes a program in California where TH!NK city vehicles are available at several Hertz locations. In addition Ford employees can use the TH!NK city as pool vehicles in the Dearborn area. Feedback from these programs will help refine and perfect the vehicle before its eventual introduction to the US market in 2002.

JOBS AND SAFETY IMPACTED BY PARTS COUNTERFEITERS

Counterfeit auto parts producers are increasingly jeopardizing auto industry jobs and consumers, wallets and safety. That's why the big three automakers in the US -- Ford, General Motors and DaimlerChrysler -- are leading the creation of a Global Industry Network, a co-operative effort against the parts counterfeiters. "In the past, the counterfeiter's target primarily has been accessories ? items that didn't seriously compromise a vehicle's safety or durability," said Mike Jordan, President of Ford's Automotive Consumer Services Group. "But now everything is fair game. If it goes into or onto a vehicle, it's at risk of being counterfeited." That now includes steering, suspension and braking system components that can directly impact safety. The problem is growing, according to Kevin Kendrick, FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge in Detroit. "The computer, apparel and automotive industries are among the hardest hit. In fact, automakers are losing an estimated $12 billion a year in global revenue to cheap, knockoff versions of their products," Kendrick said. DaimlerChrysler Senior Vice President Global Service and Parts agrees: "While the safety of our customers is our foremost concern, there is no question that parts counterfeiting is putting a strain on our country's already struggling economy."

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

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