BUENA PARK, Calif., June 13, 2001 - Ford Expedition sales have reached the 1 million mark, and Ford Motor Company is celebrating this milestone by honoring the delivery of the one-millionth vehicle to the local Orange County customer who purchased it.

Ford officials are commemorating this event today at Ken Grody Ford, by presenting Sgt. Jim Banks, of the Buena Park Police Department, with the one-millionth Expedition and honoring both Banks and Grody with personalized plaques. Expedition Marketing Manager, Doug Walczak, and California Regional Marketing Manager, Stu Smith, will be on hand for the event.

"I am pleased that the one-millionth Expedition sold is from this region," said Smith. " It gives us an opportunity to thank a loyal Ford owner and a wonderful dealer. This event is great on both a personal and professional level."

In May, Expedition was named the segment award winner for Best Full-Size SUV in the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study. The J.D. Power Initial Quality Study is considered the automobile industry benchmark of quality for vehicles during the first three months of ownership. This honor is in addition to Expedition's being the only SUV to earn a double five-star rating in U.S. governmental frontal crash testing performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

"Southern California is a huge market for Ford SUVs - and Expedition is leading the pack, " said Grody, principal of Ken Grody Ford. "It is an honor that my dealership made such a significant sale and made it to a loyal Ford owner, Sgt. Banks."

Ken Grody Ford has been serving the Buena Park community since 1974 and is Orange County's highest volume Ford dealership. The dealership was awarded Ford Motor Company's Blue Oval certification in February 2001, signifying its commitment to complete customer satisfaction.

Expedition Customers
Reaching this milestone would not have been possible without loyal Expedition customers who have continued demand for the SUV.

Banks, a 13-year veteran of the Buena Park Police Department and a resident of Brea, Calif., is one such customer. Earlier this month, Banks was flown to the Michigan Truck Plant, where the Ford Expedition is built, to join an employee celebration and watch his new vehicle roll off the assembly line. Banks has owned two previous Ford vehicles and has purchased each of them from Ken Grody Ford.

"I recently purchased a boat and needed something more appropriate to haul it around with," said Banks. "Of all the SUVs we looked at, Expedition offered the room and power to fit our needs." He quipped, "I never imagined my purchase would turn out to be so significant."

"Jim's purchase is a prime example of the strength of our No Boundaries SUV lineup," said Walczak, Expedition marketing manager. "He is a loyal Ford owner and Expedition will allow him to enjoy his favorite activities including hiking, camping and towing his boat."

Expedition Features
Ford Expedition, introduced in 1996 as a 1997 model, is the best-selling SUV in its segment - outselling its nearest competitor by more than 370,000 units over the last five years.

For 2001, Expedition is expected to continue its leadership by offering the functionality, safety, security and comfort that full-size SUV customers demand and have come to expect from a Ford SUV. From weekday use to weekend chores, Expedition offers the towing, interior roominess, power and maneuverability to deal with the toughest driving situations.

"Expedition is the ultimate adventure SUV," said Walczak. "True to the 'No Boundaries - Ford Outfitters' lineup of SUVs, Expedition provides the capabilities to experience the real outdoors in comfort and control."

The 2001 Expedition offers exceptional towing and payload, seats up to nine passengers, and still fits in a standard sized garage. Combining all of this with an impressive list of safety features, Expedition is for those who do not want to trade off comfort or style for utility and off-road ruggedness.

Expedition has the power and capability to take on the great outdoors with ease. Outstanding towing and payload capacity, proven TritonT engines and a comprehensive list of performance and handling features make Expedition perfect for adventurous, ready-for-anything customers.

Expedition gives customers both space and flexibility. With the third-row seat removed and the second-row seat folded down, it provides best-in-class cargo volume (based on the current accepted SAE standard) with 110.7 cubic feet of cargo space.

Expedition offers optional front-seat side-impact air bags that provide enhanced protection for the head and torso in a side-impact collision. A Second-Generation Driver and Front Passenger Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System provides added protection in a frontal collision.

Base pricing for the Expedition begins at $30,855 for XLT 4x2 and $33,725 for XLT 4x4. Expedition Eddie Bauer model pricing begins at $37,265 for 4x2 and $41,410 for 4x4. All pricing listed includes a destination and delivery charge of $715.

The No Boundaries lineup of Ford SUVs is the most comprehensive in the industry. Featuring Escape, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, four-door Explorer, Expedition and Excursion, the No Boundaries lineup offers customers the broadest array of SUV products in the industry to meet their needs.

Ken Grody Ford is located at 6211 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park, California.