SEMA Media Release: Stock Ford Focus Will Transform Into "Ultimate Tuner

DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (March 18, 2002) - The Ford Motor Company, along 
with show car builder Performance West Group, will perform some 
accessorizing magic on a Ford Focus at the 2002 SEMA International Auto 
Salon (IAS) at the Long Beach Convention Center Friday-Sunday, April 19-
21. The program - Focus on Performance Live…At The SEMA International 
Auto Salon - will transform a stock 2002 Ford Focus ZX5 into a no-holds-
barred "tuner" car in a series of live, fast-paced, on-stage action 
demonstrations at the Ford exhibit during the three-day IAS show.

The while-you-watch vehicle transformation will vividly demonstrate the 
tremendous adaptability the Ford Focus has to a wide variety of 
automotive accessories and products. It also will show just how quickly 
and easily this popular sport compact can be transformed from showroom 
stock into the ultimate tuner car, using existing and readily available 
specialty equipment products and accessories provided by SEMA member 
companies.

A team of technicians from each custom auto accessory manufacturer will 
install that company's product live on-stage, while a spokesperson 
narrates and fields questions from the audience. The only off-stage part 
of the Focus buildout will be the wild paint job: The SpectraFlair 
Holographic Red Metalflake paint will be applied before the show by Mike 
Face Custom Paint of San Bernardino, Calif.

Nearly three dozen specialty equipment manufacturers will participate, 
donating the new products to be installed on the Focus ZX5. The 
installations range from simple easy-to-place Designer Mat floor mats 
and APA Industries' pedal pads to the technical addition of a Jackson 
Racing Supercharger.  Show attendees can watch as a Centerforce clutch 
assembly, Baer Brake System and KW Suspension high-tech coil-over 
springs are speedily fitted, and marvel as dramatic body enhancements 
from Wings West, Classic Design Concepts and APC are added. The Focus 
ZX5 buildout will yield a pretty pair of "before" and "after" pictures.

The high-excitement IAS consumer and trade automotive show features the 
latest in tricked out, souped-up, performance and customized sport 
compacts and imports. Held at the Long Beach Convention Center, Long 
Beach, Calif., IAS opens to the general public on Saturday, April 20, 
from 12-8 p.m., and runs through Sunday, April 21, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 
On Friday, April 19 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., IAS will be open only to 
members of media and trade.

More than 300 exciting tuner cars, race cars and wild customs will be on 
display. Along with exhibits from nearly 200 automotive specialty 
equipment companies - all geared to the red-hot sport compact and import 
performance market-seven automakers will exhibit their best efforts for 
this young enthusiast market. Everything from Honda Civics with extreme 
body kits to Mazda and Toyota vehicles decked in amazing graphics and 
upfitted with superchargers or turbochargers, some equipped with nitrous 
oxide, will be on display. Celebrities, race car drivers, models and 
some of today's hottest DJs will add to the excitement of the show cars 
and trade exhibits.

IAS tickets are $10 for professionals in the specialty equipment 
industry who register before Friday, April 5, and $15 after early 
registration closes. Consumers may purchase a two-day pass for $25 or a 
one-day pass for $15 online at www.ias2k2.com.