Ford e-News - Jan. 27, 2010

DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --

Ford bringing the next Explorer to Chicago-area plant, and 1,200 jobs along with it

Not only will the next-generation Ford Explorer redefine the SUV, it will also bring jobs to the company's Chicago Assembly Plant – 1,200 in all. The new, fuel-efficient Explorer will begin production at the Chicago-area plant in the fourth quarter of this year. Ford is investing nearly $400 million in its Chicago manufacturing facilities to launch production of the new vehicle. The next-generation Explorer also will feature significant fuel economy gains of at least 25 percent over the current model thanks to Ford's EcoBoost engine technology, six-speed transmissions and a unibody construction.  more...

Marcey Evans |  [email protected] |  313.322.9212

It'll take two Fords to cover all the action at 2010 NCAA Men's Frozen Four

Two Fords will play key roles in the 2010 NCAA® Men's Frozen Four®, which comes to Detroit's Ford Field April 8-10. Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford will serve as co-chairman of the Detroit Local Organizing Committee for the event, and the Ford Transit Connect – North American Truck of the Year – will be the official vehicle. Wrapped with Frozen Four decals, the Transit Connect will be a virtual "billboard on wheels" for the prestigious NCAA championship event, traveling to nearly a dozen Central Collegiate Hockey Association games and the conference championship at Detroit's Joe Louis Arena before making its way to Ford Field in April.  more...

Anne Marie Gattari |  [email protected] |  313.323.7809

Lincoln ads grab center stage at GRAMMY Awards

When you tune in to the 52nd GRAMMY Awards® this Sunday at 8 p.m. EST on CBS, make sure you don't miss the commercials. On music's biggest night, Lincoln will present viewers with unique concert-like commercials featuring the Shiny Toy Guns performing their hit rendition of "Major Tom," the soundtrack for the current Lincoln MKZ ad. It's all part of Lincoln's strategy of using music to draw new, younger customers to the brand since the launch of the MKS in 2008. Click on http://www.lincoln.com/extras/tvads.asp to view a sampling of the Lincoln commercials, and check back on Thursday, Jan. 28, when voting gets underway to decide which up-and-coming band should perform the song for the next Lincoln ad.  more...

Marisa Bradley |  [email protected]  |  313.845.3971

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 200,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company