Jaguar

Lotus conducts research study into engine efficiency when utilising sustainable second and third generation bio fuels

August 12, 2008 -- Lotus Engineering, the world renowned automotive consultancy division of Lotus announces a collaboration with Queen’s University Belfast and Jaguar Cars Ltd to develop an engine which maximises fuel efficiency when running on renewable fuels. The OMNIVORE concept will employ novel engine architecture to achieve a high thermal efficiency when fuelled on any alcohols or gasoline.

DEARBORN, Mich., July 1, 2008 -- In the first half of 2008, sales of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars and crossovers to retail customers were higher than a year ago. Retail sales for cars increased 3 percent and crossovers also were up (less than 1 percent). Together, cars and crossovers accounted for 59 percent of Ford's first half retail sales compared with 49 percent in the first half 2007.

2009 Lincoln MKS

Highlights:
June:
- Ford, Lincoln and Mercury June sales totaled 167,090, down 28 percent versus year ago.
- Ford Focus' sales to individual retail customers were 9 percent higher than a year ago.
- 2009 Ford Flex and 2009 Lincoln MKS debut.
First Half:

Qualified customers may delay payments

DEARBORN, Mich., June 23, 2008 – Ford Motor Credit Company is offering customers affected by the devastating floods in the Midwest the option to delay some car payments. Ford Motor Credit’s Disaster Relief Program allows qualified customers to delay one or two monthly payments, resuming their regular payment schedules when their situations improve.

"We understand that some of our customers have been affected by the terrible flooding in the Midwest. We hope our Disaster Relief Program will give them one less thing to worry about as they recover and rebuild,” said Mike Bannister, CEO and chairman.

DEARBORN, Mich., June 2, 2008 – Ford Motor Company [NYSE: F] has today completed the sale of its Jaguar Land Rover operations to Tata Motors.

The sale is the culmination of Ford’s decision last August to explore strategic options for the Jaguar Land Rover business, as the company accelerates its focus on its core Ford brand and “One Ford” global transformation. It also allows Jaguar Land Rover to focus on delivering what is best for its business.

As part of the overall sale agreement between Ford and Tata Motors, Ford will continue to supply Jaguar Land Rover with engines, stampings and technology, including a range of environmental technologies.

June 2, 2008 -- Tata Motors today acquired the Jaguar Land Rover businesses from Ford Motor Company for a net consideration of US $2.3 billion, as announced on March 26, in an all-cash transaction. Ford has contributed about US $600 million to the Jaguar Land Rover pension plans.

Mr. Ratan N. Tata, Chairman of Tata Sons and Tata Motors, was present at the handing over ceremony at the head quarters of Jaguar Land Rover at Gaydon in the UK along with Mr. Don Leclair, the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ford Motor Company, and Mr. Lewis Booth, Executive Vice President of Ford Motor Company, who has responsibility for Ford of Europe, Volvo and Jaguar Land Rover.

Ford’s New 6-Speed Automatic Transmission Offers 4-6 Percent Fuel Economy Improvement

DEARBORN, May 7, 2008 – The big shift is on at Ford Motor Company, as the automaker plans to more than double the number – to 1.4 million – of fuel-efficient, 6-speed automatic transmissions in its North American cars and trucks by the end of 2009.

2009 Ford Escape

Highlights:
* Ford will more than double the number of North American vehicles equipped with fuel-efficient, 6-speed automatic transmissions by the end of next year.
* By the end of 2012, 98 percent of Ford’s North American transmissions will be advanced 6-speed gearboxes.

Retail Sales for New Ford Focus Up 88 Percent, Pacing Strong Car and Crossover Results

DEARBORN, Mich., May 1, 2008 /PRNewswire - FirstCall/ -- Ford's new Focus continues to defy gravity -- and the U.S. economy -- with a 88 percent jump in retail sales versus last April and the highest total Ford Focus April sales since 2000.

2008 Ford Focus

Highlights:
- Ford's new Focus posted an 88 percent increase in retail sales compared with a year ago; highest April sales for Focus since 2000.
- Retail sales for mid-size sedans also were higher; Ford Fusion up 31 percent, Mercury Milan up 19 percent, and Lincoln MKZ up 20 percent; Fusion and Milan set April sales records.

DEARBORN, Mich., April 20, 2008 – Geoff Polites, chief executive officer of Jaguar Land Rover, has died peacefully in his home country of Australia. He was 60.

Mr. Polites, who is credited with leading the team that returned the Jaguar Land Rover business back to profitability and successfully steering it through its ongoing sale process to Tata Motors, had been battling serious illness for the past two years.

Ford Focus and Ford Edge Buck Turbulent Economy

DEARBORN, Mich., April 1, 2008 /PRNewswire - FirstCall/ -- Sales for Ford's redesigned small car and acclaimed crossover utility continued to buck economic trends during March.

Highlights:
- Ford Focus March 2008 retail sales climbed 36 percent compared with a year ago.
- Ford Edge retail sales up 35 percent as consumer demand accelerates in California and other coastal regions.
- Ford, Lincoln and Mercury sales totaled 213,074, down 14 percent.
- Total Ford Motor Company sales (including Jaguar, Land Rover, and Volvo) totaled 227,143, down 14 percent.

26th March, 2008 -- Tata Motors today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with the Ford Motor Company for the purchase of Jaguar Land Rover, comprising brands, plants and Intellectual Property Rights.

The transfer of ownership to Tata Motors is expected to close by the end of the next quarter, subject to applicable regulatory approvals.

The total amount to be paid in cash by Tata Motors for Jaguar Land Rover upon closing will be approximately US $2.3 billion. At closing, Ford will then contribute up to approximately US $600 million to the Jaguar Land Rover pension plans.