06/13/2003 – Ford And Harley-Davidson Introduce New Super Duty In 5th Year of Alliance

2004 Ford Harley-Davidson(TM) F-350 Super Duty.

DEARBORN, Mich., June 13, 2003 – Ford Motor Company and Harley-Davidson Motor Company are celebrating rare milestones in 2003. Each company is turning 100 years old. They also are marking the fifth Anniversary of a successful partnership with the introduction of the 2004 Ford Harley-Davidson^™ F-Series Super Duty, a limited-edition truck that more than meets the need for power and capability with style.

“One of the keys to Ford’s century of success is forging strategic partnerships that benefit us, our partners and, most importantly, our customers,” said Steve Lyons, Ford Division president. “Ford and Harley-Davidson have some of the most dedicated customers around, which is one of the things that makes this alliance so effective.”

Now, the two companies are introducing the 2004 Ford Harley-Davidson^™ Super Duty. Available as an F-250 or F-350, this limited-edition 4×4 model is the most capable and toughest Ford Harley-Davidson^™ truck yet.

“We surveyed a lot of customers and found that many of them were looking for still more capability and more functionality,” Lyons said. “They especially asked for 4×4, more towing, more power and more hauling capability.”

Built Ford Tough

The 2004 Ford Harley-Davidson^™ Super Duty combines toughness, capability, power and attitude, especially when the 6.0-liter Power Stroke® diesel engine is added. The Power Stroke® diesel is the “King of Torque,” leading the class among over-8,500-pound gross vehicle weight vehicles with 560 pounds-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm.

The Ford Harley-Davidson^™ Super Duty package features unique exterior colors and styling cues. Available in Black/Competition Orange or Black/Dark Shadow Gray two-tone versions or Black Monotone, this Built Ford Tough truck sports 18-inch forged aluminum wheels, a unique engine decal, chrome exhaust tip and a chrome tubular step bar with unique HARLEY-DAVIDSON Bar and Shield logo insert. In addition, a unique black grille or grille accent-colored valance on the two-tone, “Harley-Davidson F-Series Super Duty” Badges on front fender and tailgate, vanity license plate, chrome front tow-hooks and chrome tie-down hooks are featured.

On the inside, carpet, door trim inserts and steering wheel are ebony, floor mats are made of black molded rubber with “Harley-Davidson” script, and the instrument cluster has a “spun metal” face. Seating is unique Black Leather Quad Captain Chairs with embossed HARLEY-DAVIDSON logo or front captain’s chairs and rear bench with embossed HARLEY-DAVIDSON logo.

Dealers may begin ordering the Ford Harley-Davidson^™ F-Series Super Duty on June 16 with a base manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $40,690 including destination and delivery charges. Ford plans to make 8,000 of these limited-edition 2004 models at its Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville when production begins this fall.

As a bonus, the first 1,000 people who purchase the Ford Harley-Davidson^™ F-Series Super Duty with the new Black/Competition Orange paint scheme will be entered into a drawing for a custom-painted 2004 Harley-Davidson® motorcycle. The winner will ride away on a Competition Orange/Black Harley-Davidson® FLSTFI Fat Boy® motorcycle, a 94.3-inch beauty with a Twin Cam 88B^™ engine, hidden rear suspension and plenty of horsepower. The drawing date will be announced at a later time.

Power of partnership

“Some concepts just go together,” Lyons said. “Leather and chrome. Freedom and the open road. Trucks and motorcycles. And for five years now, Harley-Davidson and Ford.”

In 1999, Ford and Harley-Davidson forged an alliance to celebrate their corporate heritage and shared 100th Anniversaries. The alliance was announced during the famed Daytona Beach Bike Week.

“The fit was a natural,” said Joanne Bischmann of Harley-Davidson. “Ford and Harley-Davidson are among the leaders in our fields, and we each have extremely loyal customer bases. Plus, there’s a fair amount of crossover between Ford and Harley-Davidson enthusiasts.”

“The logic was that forming a strategic alliance would only strengthen both our brands, as well as open a range of opportunities to better serve our customers,” Lyons said.

In the first four years of the alliance, the companies have introduced the 2000 Ford Harley-Davidson^™ F-150 SuperCab, 2001 Ford Harley-Davidson^™ SuperCrew, and 2002 and 2003 Supercharged Ford Harley-Davidson^™ F-150 SuperCrew models.

The History

The passion for the products of these two companies follows a direct line back to their founders.

Henry Ford tinkered for years with ideas and experiments and engines and parts, determined to develop a horseless carriage that anyone could afford. Born out of a small garage in Detroit, Ford Motor Company was incorporated in 1903, and the company’s first product, a Model A, was assembled and sold. Ford’s dream wouldn’t be fully achieved, however, until the 1908 introduction of the Model T. Through the introduction of the moving assembly line and other advances, the Model T price actually dropped after introduction, and the vehicle sold by the millions to people who otherwise might be unable to buy a car.

Another Ford milestone was achieved with the 1948 introduction of F-Series trucks. This indispensable vehicle for millions of homes and businesses has evolved into an unmatched lineup with a dazzling array of configurations offering durability and capability packaged to individual tastes and desires.

Harley-Davidson has similarly humble, family-based beginnings. William and Arthur Davidson got together with their buddy William S. Harley in the Davidson’s back yard to work on building a better bicycle. More specifically, they wanted to take some of the work out of bicycling.

The men crafted a motorcycle and in 1903 formed the Harley-Davidson Motor Company, writing the name of the new company on the 10- by 15-foot shed that served as headquarters, workshop and factory. Another Davidson brother, Walter, joined the partnership. And that first production motorcycle? It went on to travel more than 100,000 miles for five owners.

Both companies are celebrating their 100th Anniversaries in 2003 – Ford’s yearlong celebration climaxes with a five-day extravaganza in Dearborn, and Harley-Davidson plans to welcome hundreds of thousands of its enthusiasts to Milwaukee in August. They have done more than survive through 100 years – they have thrived, persevered and endured to build two of the world’s most recognized companies.

“Separately, our companies have put a lot of fuel into people’s passion for driving and the notion that their travel is only limited by how far their imagination takes them. They’re both legends in their own right,” said Lyons. “Together, we’ve been building a new legacy of toughness and capability that benefits and strengthens the identities of not only Ford and Harley-Davidson, but our customers too.”

In addition to trucks, Ford and Harley-Davidson have developed and marketed a line of co-branded merchandise and vehicle accessories.

Harley-Davidson Inc. is the parent company of Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Buell Motorcycle Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services Inc. Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the only major U.S.-based motorcycle manufacturer, produces heavyweight motorcycles and offers a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories, apparel and general merchandise. Buell produces sport and sport-touring motorcycles. Harley-Davidson Financial Services provides wholesale and retail financing, insurance and credit car programs to Harley-Davidson dealers and customers.

Ford Motor Company is the world’s second-largest automaker with manufacturing and distribution operations in more than 200 markets around the world. Its automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related products and services include Ford Financial, Hertz and Quality Care. Ford Motor Company marks its Centennial on June 16.

Exterior Features

• Available in Competition Orange/Black two-tone paint scheme, Dark Shadow Gray/Black two-tone or Black Monotone
• Unique tape stripe with “Harley-Davidson” script
• Body color grille (black only), black grille accent-colored valance front and rear on two-tone
• Color-keyed wheel-lip moldings and door handles
• Chrome tubular step bar with unique HARLEY-DAVIDSON Bar and Shield logo insert
• Chrome exhaust tip, front tow hooks and tie down
• Unique 18-inch brushed forged aluminum wheels with “Harley-Davidson” script on center cap with chrome lug nuts
• LT275/65R18E all-terrain BSW tires with LT265/75R16E all-season BSW spare and 16-inch steel spare wheel
• Unique windshield with HARLEY-DAVIDSON Bar and Shield dot pattern and Alliance logo

Interior Features

• Unique adjustable pedals
• Ebony accents including carpet, door trim and steering wheel
• Unique black molded rubber floor mats with “Harley-Davidson” script
• Unique “spun metal face” instrument cluster finish panel
• Unique Owner’s Guide with leather HARLEY-DAVIDSON Bar and Shield embossed portfolio
• Laser-engraved serialization plate attached to leather front console lid (includes rear console on Crew Cab
• Key set with Ford/Harley-Davidson logo on key ends
• Unique Black Leather Quad Captain Chairs with embossed HARLEY-DAVIDSON logo, front and back-center console in unique leather, or front captain’s chairs and rear bench with embossed HARLEY-DAVIDSON logo

Standard Equipment

• Seven- and four-pin combination trailer tow connector, trailer brake wiring kit and trailer tow guide
• Power doors, windows and locks with backlit switches
• Speed control/tilt steering wheel
• Four-wheel anti-lock brakes
• Power adjustable pedals

Powertrain and Functional Features

• 6.0-liter Power Stroke® diesel with electronic five-speed auto rated at 325 horsepower at 3,300 rpm and 560 foot-pounds of torque at 1,600 rpm
• Four-wheel anti-lock brakes
• Driver-activated tow-haul mode to tailor shift schedule during demanding activities for enhanced control

Optional Equipment

• Second-row bench seat in unique leather with embossed HARLEY-DAVIDSON logo (Crew Cab)
• Premium Electronic AM/FM Stereo with in-dash six-disc CD player/clock