Blythe to retire

Ford Motor Co
8 July 2004


Contact:    Marcey Evans 
            313-322-9211 
            [e-mail]


IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BLYTHE TO RETIRE FROM FORD CHIEF STRATEGY POST;
WILL REMAIN AN OUTSIDE ADVISOR TO BILL FORD

DEARBORN, Mich., July 8, 2004 - Bruce L. Blythe, 59, has announced his plan to
retire as Ford Motor Company's chief strategist, effective Sept. 1.

Blythe, who had been with Ford from 1968 to 1993, rejoined the company on 
Sept. 10, 2003.  Following his departure as an active employee, he will continue 
to serve as an advisor to Ford Motor Company Chairman and CEO Bill Ford on 
issues related to the business.

'During the past year, Bruce helped us lay the groundwork and put in place a
strategy that will allow us to move the company to the next level,' Bill Ford
said. 'Bruce has a long history with Ford and has always brought great
perspective. I expect him to continue to play a role in our strategic decisions
from the outside as we go forward.' 

Blythe first joined Ford in 1968 as a financial analyst at Ford Division and 
continued to serve the company over the next 25 years in a number of key 
financial and strategy positions in the U.S. and overseas. His last position 
before leaving the company in 1993 was vice president of business strategy for 
Ford of Europe.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pa., Blythe earned a bachelor's degree in business
administration and a master's degree in finance and transportation from
Pennsylvania State University.



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