Henry Ford and Ford Community Programs Celebrated on New Float in Nationally Televised Parade on Thanksgiving Day

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

• Ford Motor Company's new float for America's Thanksgiving Parade^® presented by Art Van was unveiled by Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford to hundreds of Ford employees today in front of Ford World Headquarters
• A giant likeness of company founder Henry Ford has the seat of honor on the float; his great-great-granddaughter Elena Ford will ride on the float on Thanksgiving Day
• The 100-foot-long float also recognizes Ford's continuing commitment to community development through the activities of Ford Motor Company Fund and Ford Volunteer Corps

Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford today unveiled the company's new float for America's Thanksgiving Parade^® presented by Art Van to hundreds of Ford Motor Company employees gathered outside Ford World Headquarters. The 100-foot-long float celebrates Henry Ford's vision to open the roadways and make a difference in communities worldwide.

The float includes a giant likeness of Henry Ford sitting in front of a birthday cake that marks the 150^th anniversary of his birth. Also featured are a giant globe and a Ford Focus, the world's best-selling vehicle nameplate, in recognition of the company's global reach.

Six giant screens on the float show the contributions that Ford Motor Company Fund and Ford Volunteer Corps members make around the world. 

One of the country's largest and longest-running parades, America's Thanksgiving Parade presented by Art Van will take place this Thursday in downtown Detroit.

"The parade is a great Detroit Thanksgiving Day family tradition, as well as an opportunity to celebrate our communities and encourage our neighbors to get involved," said Bill Ford. "This new float is an exciting way to recognize both the legacy of our company's founder and our investment in communities through funding of creative programs and the work of our Ford Volunteer Corps."

Elena Ford, vice president for Ford global dealer and consumer experience and great-great-granddaughter of Henry Ford, will ride on the float in the Thanksgiving Day parade. Forty members of the Ford Volunteers Corp will walk alongside the float. 

"Henry Ford and his legacy helped shape our region – and the world," said Tony Michaels, president and CEO, The Parade Company, which puts on the Thanksgiving Day parade. "We appreciate what Ford Motor Company continues to provide for our community."

As official parade vehicle, more than 40 Ford cars and trucks will take part in the festivities, including F-Series, Mustang and other Ford vehicles that will carry celebrities and pull floats.

The nearly three-mile-long parade starts at 8:45 a.m. at Woodward Avenue and Kirby Street near the DIA. The parade will be featured locally on WDIV-TV and WJR-AM, and the first hour will be aired in 140 markets across the country.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 180,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company