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FORD MIDDLE EAST 2008 PRODUCT DRIVE IN FULL GEAR

Ford Middle East paraded an impressive line-up of mid-size and full-size sedans across the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands at the Middle East International Motorshow in Dubai, signaling yet another product driven year ahead for Ford Motor Company in the GCC and Levant markets.

The Ford passenger car lineup will feature the new 2008 versions of the Focus and Mondeo, both boasting Ford of Europe's new kinetic design concept, as well as the all-new North American made full-size Ford Five Hundred. With these new introductions, the Ford passenger car family offers six different models.

The Lincoln luxury brand will see the debut of its all-new mid-size entry level sedan, the MKZ, while Mercury adds the all-new Mariner compact SUV as well as the all-new Montego full-size sedan to its lineup. Both brands are set to offer their largest ever product offering to Middle Eastern customers for 2008, with five products each.

In the last six months, Ford Motor Company received numerous recognitions in both North America and Europe from institutions such as JD Power & Associates, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (NHTSA), and Euro NCAP to name but a few.

Ford Middle East sales of the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products have grown on an average of 20 per cent, year over year, in the last 5 years. And with a richer product offering across the three brands, 2008 promises to be strong as well, according to Hussein Murad, Ford Middle East's Sales & Marketing director.

"We are looking forward to another banner year," said Murad. "By the end of 2008, the Ford passenger car lineup will be 80 per cent new and refreshed, with a younger and more dynamic lineup. The all-new Mondeo and refreshed Focus, boasting the new Ford of Europe's kinetic design, will drive our youth strategy and add further zest to our passenger car lineup. And with new launches coming up in the course of the year, such as the all-new Ford Flex full-size crossover, Ford's utility vehicle lineup will be the largest in the region, with seven products."

Murad added: "Lincoln and Mercury have a fair share of excitement on the product front as well, as they will showcase the largest product lineup ever offered for those brands in the Middle East. By the end of 2008, with the debut of the all-new MKS full-size sedan, Lincoln will offer a total of six products, two of which are all-new nameplates.  Meanwhile, Mercury will offer five models, three of which are new nameplates, following the launch of the Mariner compact SUV, the Montego full-size sedan, and the new Milan.

"There's plenty to look forward to and we are naturally excited with the arrival of these new award-winning products, and confident that our customers will be pleasantly surprised at the great features, driving dynamics and quality that they offer," concluded Murad.

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