Ford Motor Company products highlighted at NABJ/Unity Convention

DEARBORN, – The all-new Lincoln LS luxury sedan, Ford's new heavy duty sport utility vehicle – the 2000 Excursion, a Volvo S80, and the sporty Mercury Cougar were among some of the vehicles Ford Motor Company showcased at the 1999 National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)/Unity convention that opened in Seattle. In addition to the NABJ members, journalists belonging to the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, the Native American Journalists Association and the Asia-American Journalists Association also are in attendance for the conference. More than 6,000 of the nation's minority journalists are expected for the 1999 convention.

"Ford Motor Company is thrilled to be a part of this important convention," said Dr. Ronald E. Goldsberry, Ford Motor Company vice president - Global Service Business Strategy. "These men and women play a critical role in bringing information to their readers and viewers, and helping to shape public opinion. We welcome the chance to have an opportunity to spend time with them."

Mustang Convertible

This is the second consecutive year that Ford Motor Company products have been featured at the NABJ convention. In 1998 a Ford Mustang GT Convertible was given away as part of a drawing to benefit the NABJ Scholarship Fund for future minority journalists. This year, a 1999 Mercury Cougar will be donated to the scholarship raffle. Dr. Goldsberry will present the keys to the lucky winner at the Newsmaker Banquet on July 9.

Journalists attending the 1999 NABJ/Unity convention also will have the opportunity to participate in a Ford "fly-and-drive" product familiarization program. Journalists will be transported daily via seaplane to the Kiana Lodge on Bainbridge Island where they will have the chance to drive a variety of vehicles along a pre-arranged course. The Ford Mustang, Mercury Villager, Mercury Mountaineer, Ford Explorer, Mazda Miata, Volvo S80, Lincoln LS, Lincoln Navigator, Mercury Cougar and Ford Excursion all are available for test driving.

In addition to the product exposure program, Ford employees participating in the convention are hoping to learn more about the organization’s diversity initiatives underway across America. "Ford Motor Company is serious about its commitment to diversity," Dr. Goldsberry said. "We've established several diversity councils throughout the company to work on a variety of subjects. We understand that the world is changing dramatically, and this has business implications as well as social implications. We value diversity at Ford and want to be leaders at it."