Louisville, KY, September 20, 2000 - Some believe that repetition is dull. Ford Motor Company doesn't agree. Today, at its Kentucky Truck Plant, the Company is celebrating a major milestone - the production of the one-millionth Super Duty F-Series truck to roll off the assembly line in just two short years.

Since the Super Duty F-Series lineup was redesigned for the 1999 model year, customer demand has required this production, taking Ford's sales in the over-8500-pound GVW truck market from one-third to approximately 40 percent of total F-Series sales. That makes the Super Duty F-Series the best-selling truck in its segment - outselling all of the competition combined.

"Our customers recognize that when it comes to tough, hard working trucks, nothing beats an F-Series," says Lew Echlin, Super Duty F-Series marketing manager. "Super Duty has proven itself as the sales leader by offering customers more choice and capability in its lineup than that offered by any other competitor. Customers have proven those things matter to them."

In terms of choice, Ford's Super Duty F-Series offers customers over one-third more configurations than the nearest competitor in its class. In terms of capability, it has the highest payload rating and gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of any pickup on the market, more interior room for occupants in every seating position and, for the 2001 model year, increased horsepower and torque on the popular 7.3-liter PowerStroke diesel engine.

"These trucks are intended to work hard," says Bill Osborne, Ford's over-8500-pound GVW truck platform vehicle line director. "When you look at the proven power, the payload, all of the towing and the long list of available options, it is clear that the Super Duty F-Series is designed to make any customers' toughest jobs easier. It's the only 'Built Ford Tough' truck in its class."

And since 60 percent of Super Duty customers use their truck for commercial or work-related purposes, capability is important. Add to that the number of customers who use their Super Duty trucks for recreational- and personal-use, and the best-in-class interior room and creature comforts become equally important.

"We are seeing fast growth - approximately five to six percent every year - in the personal- and recreational-use arena," says Echlin. "More and more people are buying a Super Duty F-Series for towing horse trailers and campers, and contrary to historical use for trucks of this size, aren't using it as much for their livelihoods as they are for their lifestyles. The Super Duty F-Series gives customers the best of both worlds. It is a workhorse in its design, making it proven in commercial use, and heavily sought after in personal use."

Since 1995, the over-8500-pound GVW truck segment overall has grown approximately 31 percent. Ford's Super Duty F-Series sales grew 57 percent during that same time period.

The Super Duty F-Series lineup, which includes Super Duty F-250 through F-550 are built at Ford's Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, with supplemental production at the Cuautitlan Assembly Plant in Mexico. The 2001 models will be in dealer showrooms later this month.