NORFOLK, Va., August 3, 1999 -- Ford Motor Company today produced the first of its 2000 model F-Series pickup trucks to be sold nationally as Low Emission Vehicles (LEV) far in advance of government regulation.

"Today we are bringing to reality Ford's commitment to set itself apart from other auto makers through our 'Cleaner, Safer Sooner,' campaign," said Tom Phillips, Norfolk Assembly Plant manager. "Ford's leadership is redefining the standard by which corporations are being measured in environmental responsibility."

In May, Ford President and CEO Jac Nasser announced that all pickup trucks sold in the U.S. and Canada - about three quarters of a million -- would be Low Emission Vehicles (LEV), well ahead of proposed government regulation and with no additional cost to customers.

Beginning with the 2000 model year for the F-150s built at the Norfolk Assembly Plant, the F-Series pickup fleet will average smog forming emission levels 43 percent cleaner than before it was classified as a LEV.

"At Ford, our goal is to become the world's most environmentally progressive automaker," said Gurminder Bedi, vice president - Truck Vehicle Center. "We believe it is possible for people to be environmentalists and auto enthusiasts. That's what customers and communities are demanding of us, and that's what Ford is demanding of itself."

Ford produces more than 800,000 F-Series pickups annually and about 360,000 Ranger compact pickups. Rangers and the SVT Lightning are scheduled to be low emission vehicles by 2001.

Last year, Ford began production of low emission sport utility vehicles and Windstar minivans and remains unmatched by other auto makers on that broad environmental commitment. The LEV sport utility vehicles are: Ford Explorer, Ford Expedition; Ford Excursion; Mercury Mountaineer and Lincoln Navigator.

SUV and Windstar production will equal about 1 million units and, when joined with pickups, Ford will be putting two million Low Emission Vehicle trucks on the road annually at full production. Ford trucks and SUVs that meet Low Emission Vehicle status will emit on average about 48 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than trucks and SUVs that do not meet LEV.

The combined effect of the emissions actions that Ford has taken on SUVs, and will take with full-size pickups is equivalent to eliminating smog forming emissions from 350,000 full-size pickups on the road today.