Special-Edition Bond Thunderbird Moves From Film Screen to Driveways

    DEARBORN, Mich., July 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- When EON Productions
 and MGM Pictures' new James Bond film, Die Another Day, opens on November 22,
 2002, moviegoers will be able to do more than dream of action-packed
 adventure.  They will also be able to drive home in one of the film's starring
 vehicles beginning next spring.
     Three Ford Motor Company (NYSE:   F) vehicles make high-profile appearances
 in producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli's Die Another Day,
 released in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of the Bond franchise and
 continuing Ford's long history on the silver screen.  To mark the occasion,
 Ford will create a James Bond edition Thunderbird available to customers early
 next year.  The car will be offered in the special coral color created for the
 film.
     Ford Motor Company acquired the coveted rights to supply EON and MGM with
 a number of its global vehicle brands for Die Another Day:
 
     *  Again starring as James Bond, Pierce Brosnan drives an Aston Martin V12
 Vanquish in the film.
     *  The coral Ford Thunderbird we are making available to customers mirrors
 the vehicle driven by Academy Award(R)-winner Halle Berry as Jinx.
     *  The villainous Zao, played by Rick Yune, drives a Jaguar XKR.
 
     These vehicles will also be featured in a TV advertising campaign in the
 fall to coincide with the release and promotion of the new film.
     Directed by Lee Tamahori and written by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, Die
 Another Day stars Pierce Brosnan, Halle Berry, Toby Stephens, Rosamund Pike,
 Rick Yune, John Cleese, and Judi Dench.
 
     The Aston Martin Vanquish
     During the 40 years of Bond films, Aston Martin has been 007's choice more
 than any other car.  Fans will recall the exquisite silver Aston Martin DB5
 equipped with machine guns, rocket launchers and an ejector-seat in the 1965
 film Goldfinger.
     For Die Another Day, James Bond's Aston Martin V12 Vanquish will have two
 machine guns extending from the grilles on the hood, while the front grille
 splits in half to reveal four missiles and a pair of shotguns.  However, these
 represent relatively few modifications to a "Bond car," as Bond will use his
 skill as a driver in the film more than depend on abundant armament.
     That's because the Aston Martin Vanquish is the most technically advanced
 car that Aston Martin has produced in its 88-year history -- making it the
 perfect match for James Bond.
     "There's no single product placement in the industry more iconic than
 James Bond's car," says Jan Valentic, Ford Motor Company vice president of
 Global Marketing.  "No other films better capture the aggressive performance
 of the chase scene and sex appeal of the spy game better than the James Bond
 films.  He has become a piece of global pop-culture, and there was genuine
 appreciation when we announced last year that he would again drive an Aston
 Martin."
     Based upon a body of aluminum and carbon fiber, the 460 horsepower
 Vanquish features a six-speed manual transmission that is operated by paddles
 behind the steering wheel -- similar to a Grand Prix racecar.
     Launched just more than 18 months ago, Aston Martin will hand assemble 500
 versions of this $228,000 sports car in 2002.  Currently there is a customer
 waiting list of nearly two years for the Vanquish, which is sold in 31 markets
 throughout the world.
 
     The Ford Thunderbird
     Ford will produce 700 of the James Bond edition Thunderbird vehicles in
 2003.  The James Bond edition Thunderbirds will feature a white-trimmed
 steering wheel, shift knob and lower door panels.  The white perforated
 leather seat inserts will be surrounded by black leather.  Understated "007"
 badges are found on the instrument panel and floor mats, while the Thunderbird
 insignias are located on the seat backs.  Side-by-side "Thunderbird" and "007"
 badges appear on the interior aluminum applique.
     In 2000, Ford offered 200 special edition Thunderbird vehicles for sale
 through the exclusive Neiman Marcus Christmas Book.  Those 200 cars, the most
 ever offered through Neiman Marcus, sold out in a record 2 hours and 15
 minutes and are considered highly prized collectors items.
     "The Ford Thunderbird epitomizes the 'agent provocateur' personality -- it
 is incredibly beautiful, alluring yet clever and tech-savvy," said Valentic.
 "The James Bond edition Thunderbird keeps a hot car sizzling."
     Ford will announce pricing for the special edition Thunderbirds later in
 the year.
 
     The Jaguar XKR
     Rick Yune, who plays one of the movie's villains, Zao, drives a modified
 400 horsepower Jaguar XKR convertible.  The Jaguar XKR has been transformed
 into a four-wheel drive beast to make easy handling on the icy landscapes
 where the car chase scenes are set.  From head to tail, the weaponry included
 on the Jaguar XKR includes a Gatling gun centered behind the driver and
 passenger seats, missiles emerging from the front grille, concealed door-
 mounted rocket launchers and finally, a trunk full of mortar bombs.
     The unique car color is the same as the current Jaguar Racing Formula One
 racing car, which has carried the 007 logo on its wing mirrors this season to
 promote the association of Ford Motor Company's involvement with Die Another
 Day.
 
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SOURCE  Ford Motor Company

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