Ford Brand Momentum Recognized With Two Coveted Autoweek Magazine Auto Show Awards

DETROIT – The editorial team at AutoWeek Magazine likes what they see from Ford at the North American International Auto Show, naming the new 2010 Taurus “Most Significant” and the Ford Shelby GT500 “Most Fun” of all vehicles displayed this week.

“This important recognition from the editors at AutoWeek affirms that our new product plans are taking hold, and that Ford is building more products people really want and discerning journalists value,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas. “We want to thank AutoWeek for these distinctions – and for recognizing how hard our product teams have been working to further strengthen Ford’s product lineup.”

Coming just two days after the 2009 Ford F-150 was named “North American Truck of the Year,” the AutoWeek auto show awards recognize Ford’s product-driven momentum.

“We’re delighted that the editors at AutoWeek see the new Ford Taurus, and its unique blend of style, substance, class-leading highway fuel economy and meaningful technologies as highly significant,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president for Global Product Development.

The new 2010 Taurus leads a wave of new vehicle introductions from Ford, demonstrating the Blue Oval’s commitment to providing customers expressively designed, technically advanced and fun-to-drive vehicles at a good value.

Taurus arrives with an impressive class-leading array of technologies to add convenience, connectivity and safety for our customers.

The Shelby GT500 was named “Most Fun” by the AutoWeek editorial team for its muscular combination of power and refinement. Its 5.4-liter dual overhead cam V-8 engine delivers an expected 540 horsepower, and 510 pounds-feet of tarmac-scorching torque while achieving increased fuel economy versus prior Mustang performance models, making it Ford’s best Mustang ever.

The 2010 Taurus and Shelby GT500 will be on public display at NAIAS – along with other Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles that feature EcoBoost engines and connectivity technology – in Detroit’s Cobo Hall from Saturday through Jan. 25.

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 224,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.