Appointmnt of General Counsel

Ford Motor Co
24 March 2005


Contact:   Kathleen Vokes
           313-322-9210
           [e-mail]



FORD NAMES DAVID G. LEITCH AS GENERAL COUNSEL

• Former White House Deputy Counsel David G. Leitch named Ford Motor Company 
  general counsel and senior vice president, effective April 1.
• Dennis Ross to retire June 1.


DEARBORN, Mich., Mar, 24. - Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) today announced it has
appointed David G. Leitch as its general counsel and a senior vice president of
the company. Leitch served most recently as the deputy assistant to President
George W. Bush and the White House's deputy counsel.

Leitch's appointment is effective April 1. He succeeds Dennis Ross, who will
retire June 1. Until then, Ross will continue to report to chairman and chief
executive officer Bill Ford while working on taxes and related issues. Following
retirement, Ross will work for the company as a consultant with a primary focus
on tax issues. 

Bill Ford said of Leitch: 'David's a brilliant lawyer with a remarkable record
of achievement. His experience at the White House and in the private sector
gives him a perspective that will undoubtedly offer valuable insights to our
leadership team.'

Leitch said, 'I look forward to joining a company with the history and global
presence of a Ford Motor Company. I see a vibrant future for Ford, as well as a
place where my talents and experience can make a contribution'.

Leitch, 44, has had a distinguished career in government and law. In his most
recent role at the White House, he advised the president and his staff on a
variety of legal issues, including issues involving the war on terror, judicial
nominations, legislative proposals and ethics. From June 2001 through December
2002, he served as chief counsel for the Federal Aviation Administration,
overseeing a staff of 290 in Washington and the agency's 11 regional offices. He
is also a past deputy assistant attorney general in the U.S. Department of
Justice, Office of Legal Counsel. 

Leitch's law career includes serving as law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Chief
Justice William H. Rehnquist, and as a partner in the Washington, D.C. law firm
of Hogan & Hartson, L.L.P.  Leitch is a graduate of the University of Virginia,
School of Law, and an undergraduate of Duke University.

'I want to thank Dennis Ross for ten years of service.' Bill Ford said. 'His
contributions in the tax and legal areas have made Ford a stronger company.'

Commenting on his retirement plans, Ross said, 'There are many people I would
like to thank, but I owe a special debt of gratitude to Bill Ford, who allowed
me to grow professionally as a general counsel. I am confident that under his
leadership the company has many great years ahead of it. I hope, in a new
consulting capacity, to continue to make a contribution, while having a bit more
time for family and other pursuits.' 



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Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn,
Mich., manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six
continents. With more than 324,000 employees worldwide, the company's core and
affiliated automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford Jaguar, Land Rover,
Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford 
Credit, Quality Care and Hertz.  Ford Motor Company celebrated its 100th 
anniversary on June 16, 2003.



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