All Ford Pickups to be Low Emission Vehicles

• Ford Motor Company leads industry again by committing huge increase to vehicles meeting low emission standard. Far in advance of any government regulation, with no cost to customers.

• Sweeping action to start with F-Series in 2000 Model Year. Pickup fleet average smog-forming emissions will be substantially below today's levels and many full-size trucks will be below EPA proposed levels for 2004.

• Added to low emission SUVs and MPVs, Ford will be putting two million LEV trucks on the road annually at full production. Combined effect equivalent to eliminating smog-forming emissions from 350,000 full-size trucks.

• Ford committed publicly to take action without regard to regulation when technology, affordability and volume come together. Continues Ford's "Cleaner, Safer, Sooner" campaign.

DEARBORN, Mich.,- Ford Motor Company announced that all pickup trucks sold in the U.S. and Canada will be Low Emission Vehicles (LEV), with the large majority preceding any U.S. emissions requirements by years.

"Last year, when we announced our LEV Sport Utility initiative, we said that when the technology allowed, the cost to the customer was affordable, and we could do it in volume we would proceed with environmental actions without regard to regulation or regulatory timetables," said Jacques Nasser, president and chief executive officer. "We've publicly committed ourselves to a strategy of 'Cleaner, Safer, Sooner' because it is the right thing to do. There is a cost to the company for doing this, but we are finding other efficiencies so that no cost from this action is passed to the customer."

Beginning in the 2000 model year, all F-Series pickup lines will meet the stringent standards set for the low emissions classification. The special production, low-volume Lightning and the Ranger compact pickup are planned as LEVs in the 2001 model year.

"This action is part of the difference between genuine leadership and mere compliance when it comes to environmental responsibility," said William Clay Ford, Jr., chairman. "More and more, the marketplace will demand vehicles that are truly clean. I intend for Ford Motor Company to set that standard, not just meet it. Making all of our pickups LEV is yet another step toward that goal, and it's consistent with our commitment to provide consumers the broad range of products they want in the most environmentally responsible way."

Ford produces more than 800,000 F-Series pickups annually and about 360,000 Ranger compact pickups. While Rangers are scheduled to be low emission vehicles by 2001 in accordance with the National Low Emission Vehicle program, there is no requirement that full-size pickups meet LEV standards.

There is, however, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposal for more stringent standards that would be phased in beginning in 2004. Ford's product action for the 2000 model year would take many of its full-size trucks below the initial tailpipe levels in EPA's proposal for the 2004 calendar year.

"Although our action is not prompted by recently proposed new regulation, you could say it is a good faith deposit toward our mutual goal with EPA for cleaner air," Nasser said. "The environmental benefit from our commitment is far larger than anything that's been done in the industry."

Ford's trucks that meet Low Emission Vehicle status will emit anywhere from about 15 percent to over 50 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than trucks that do not meet LEV. On a total fleet average basis, Ford's LEV trucks will be about one-third cleaner than they are today.

Last year, Ford began production of low emission sport utility vehicles and Windstar minivans and remains unmatched by other automakers on that broad environmental commitment. Last year's announcement included Lincoln Navigator, Ford Expedition, Mercury Mountaineer and Ford Explorer. The new Ford Excursion and a new small sport utility also will be LEVs or better when they go on sale.

SUV and Windstar production will equal about 1 million units and, when joined with pickups, Ford will be putting two million Low Emission Vehicle trucks on the road annually at full production. The combined effect from the emissions actions that Ford has taken on SUVs and will take with full-size pickups is equivalent to eliminating emissions from 350,000 full-size pickups on the road today.

Emissions actions are particularly challenging with trucks because of the range of high- demand uses. However, Ford's industry-leading emissions control technology and catalyst research have allowed Ford to make dramatic reductions in vehicle emissions, and the company has consistently led the industry in emissions-related environmental actions.

Taking trucks to LEV status will have no negative effect on vehicle performance. Additionally, through advanced emissions technology, Ford expects to meet or exceed future emissions requirements while maintaining or reducing the use of precious metals.

In addition to the truck commitment and last year's announcement on SUVs and minivans, Ford also was one of the first auto companies to opt into the federal government's voluntary NLEV program; offers 11 alternative fuel vehicle lines, more than anyone in the industry; and has put more than 300,000 LEV vehicles in service in California, in addition to the federal actions which will put two million LEV trucks in service annually.