Ford Kicks Off Their 2005 Fight Against Breast Cancer

* 1. For its 2005 "Tied to the Cause" breast cancer awareness initiative, Ford has enlisted support from the women of NBC’s hit drama "ER" for its annual celebrity ad campaign.

* 2. At www.Fordcares.com, visitors can enter to win a new Ford Freestyle, as well as a VIP visit to the lot where NBC’s ER is filmed. A second Ford Freestyle will be awarded to a Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Affiliate.

* 3. As Ford enters its second decade of support for the Komen Foundation, it will continue to partner with fashion powerhouse Lilly Pulitzer® for inspiring breast cancer awareness designs.

* 4. In 2004, Ford raised $2.3 million for the Komen Foundation through the "Tied to the Cause" campaign. Along with other fundraising efforts, this increased Ford’s 11-year dedication to the cause to nearly $85 million.

DEARBORN, Mich., May 6, 2005 – Entering its second decade of support for breast cancer awareness and research, Ford is taking on the disease this year…STAT. With renewed vigor, a variety of exciting initiatives and the help of a few famous doctors, Ford is moving full steam ahead promoting awareness and continuing its support in the fight against breast cancer.

For 2005, Ford’s "Tied to the Cause" breast cancer awareness effort will once again follow successful practice of using celebrities as spokespersons for a series of special ads designed to drive awareness for the campaign. This year, the ads will feature the women of "ER" – Linda Cardellini, Laura Innes, Sherry Stringfield, Maura Tierney and Parminder Nagra – creatively accessorizing Ford’s "Tied to the Cause" breast cancer awareness scarf designed once again by Lilly Pulitzer.

The ads will run in 14 Time, Inc. publications this fall, including Entertainment Weekly, InStyle, People, Real Simple, Essence and Coastal Living.

In 2004, Ford established a record for the largest donation from a Komen Race for the Cure® National Series sponsor with proceeds from a single item with its Lilly Pulitzer-designed "Tied to the Cause" breast cancer awareness scarf. The $2.3 million raised to help fight breast cancer capped a decade of commitment to breast cancer awareness and increased Ford’s dedication to the Komen Foundation to nearly $85 million.

"Ford Division has been a long-standing supporter of the Komen Foundation and we are always looking for ways to maximize our fundraising efforts to assist them in their quest to eradicate breast cancer," said Connie Fontaine, Ford Division Associations and Alliances Manager. "In 2004 we demonstrated our commitment to the cause by again more than doubling our contributions to the Komen Foundation. Through Ford’s numerous efforts in 2005, we plan to have another very successful year as we promote the importance of early detection in the fight against breast cancer."

Lilly Pulitzer again will lend their considerable talents to Ford’s "Tied to the Cause" effort by designing this year’s breast cancer awareness scarf and bandana. Lilly Pulitzer is known for vibrant, lively designs and is also a longstanding proud supporter of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The bandanas will be available for free at Komen Race for the CureÒ events beginning Mother’s Day weekend and scarves will be on sale later this fall. The "Tied to the Cause" bandana and scarf are excellent ways to demonstrate support of the fight against breast cancer.

Further demonstrating its commitment to breast cancer awareness, Ford has produced a 30-second public service announcement (PSA) designed to inform women of all ages about the benefits of early breast cancer detection. The PSA will be in circulation through April 2006.

The center of activity for Ford’s various breast cancer awareness initiatives in 2005 is www.Fordcares.com. The Web site features information on Ford’s commitment to breast cancer awareness and research, information on the Komen Foundation, race schedules for local Komen Race for the CureÒ events, tips on accessorizing with the "Tied to the Cause" breast cancer awareness bandana and links to other Web sites dedicated to the fight against breast cancer. The Ford Cares Web site is continually updated and is a wonderful resource for information on Ford’s ongoing breast cancer awareness activity.

New for 2005, Ford has established a unique sweepstakes for its "Tied to the Cause" initiative. At www.Fordcares.com, visitors can enter for a chance to win a three-night, four-day trip to Los Angeles, a VIP visit to the lot where NBC’s "ER" is filmed, a $1,000 Bloomingdale’s gift card and a Ford Freestyle. An additional Ford Freestyle will be awarded to a Komen Foundation Affiliate. More information on Ford’s "Vehicle of Hope" sweepstakes, including the deadline for entering, can be found at www.Fordcares.com.

ER

With 112 Emmy nominations, the second highest count in television history and more than any other drama series, "ER" has won 21 Emmy Awards and has been honored with a prestigious Peabody Award, as well as numerous other accolades. "ER" remains the number one drama in the 18-49 demographic-- a major feat for a show in its eleventh season. "ER" is from Constant c Productions, Amblin Television in association with Warner Bros. Television Production Inc. and airs on Thursdays (10:00 - 11:00 p.m. ET/PT) on the NBC Television Network.

Komen Race for the Cure® Series/ The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

Since 1995, Ford has been a National Sponsor of the Komen Race for the Cure® Series. The Komen Race Series began in Dallas in 1983 as a local race drawing 800 participants and has since grown into a series of more than 100 Races with more than 1 million participants expected this year.

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation was established in 1982 by Nancy Brinker to honor the memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died from breast cancer at the age of 36. Today, the Foundation is an international organization with a network of more than 75,000 active volunteers working through local Affiliates and events like the Komen Race for the Cure® to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease. A global leader in the fight against breast cancer, the Foundation fulfills its mission through support of innovative breast cancer research grants, meritorious awards and educational, scientific and community outreach programs around the world. Together with its Affiliate Network, corporate partners and generous donors, the Komen Foundation has raised more than $740 million for the fight against breast cancer.

For more information about the Komen Foundation, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call the Foundation’s National Toll Free Breast Care Helpline at 1.800 I’M AWARE® (1.800.462.9273)

Lilly Pulitzer®

Lilly Pulitzer offers apparel for ladies and children, as well as ladies’ shoes, jewelry and a complete home collection. The children’s clothes are a pint-size version of the ladies’ line, reflecting the same color palette and prints in charming styles appropriate for infants, toddlers and girls size 4-16. There are currently 75 retailers in Lilly-loving communities around the country recognized as Lilly Pulitzer Signature Stores. Lilly Pulitzer is also sold in major department stores including Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom as well as upscale specialty shops and clubs nationwide. In keeping with our commitment to "Life. Lilly. And the pursuit of happiness.™," Lilly Pulitzer is a proud longtime supporter of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. More information on our products, our retailers and our brand initiatives is available at www.lillypulitzer.com.