CHICAGO, Feb. 6, 2002 – The Ford CrossTrainer – designed to combine Ford’s SUV and family car leadership in a new vehicle unlike anything else on the market – will be built at the Chicago Assembly Plant beginning in 2004, the company confirmed today.

Nick Scheele, Ford Motor Company president and chief operating officer, told Chicago area employees at the Chicago Auto Show today that the new CrossTrainer – and their manufacturing facility – will be cornerstones in Ford’s product-led transformation and one of the 20 new products the company will introduce each year through 2005.

Scheele also displayed a designer’s sketch of the seven-passenger, three-row vehicle, heralding the CrossTrainer as part of Ford’s promise for more great products built with outstanding quality coming in the near future.

“The Ford CrossTrainer combines the best attributes of a sedan and sport utility providing room for up to seven passengers and their cargo,” Scheele said. “The Chicago Assembly Plant has a reputation as one of our highest quality, most efficient plants. When we introduce the new CrossTrainer, it also will become a benchmark in our new flexible manufacturing system.”

CrossTrainer will be an all-new addition to the Ford lineup. The Taurus, one of the best-selling cars in America, will remain in the lineup – and continue to be produced at Ford’s Atlanta Assembly Plant.

“Thanks to Ford Motor Company and the hard working men and women of Chicago, we have a vibrant Ford Campus that will be an anchor for further redevelopment on the south side of Chicago,” said Illinois Governor George H. Ryan. “The new Ford CrossTrainer will be a symbol of the great partnership forged between the people of Illinois and Chicago and Ford Motor Company.”

“On behalf of all the people of the city of Chicago, I want to thank Nick Scheele and the Ford Motor Company for this vote of confidence in our city and our workers,” added Mayor Richard M. Daley. “For 77 years, Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant has been producing motor vehicles of the highest quality, thanks to its top-quality workforce and excellent management.”

All-New Segment

The Ford CrossTrainer is designed to meet the needs of an emerging group of car customers who want the image and advantages of a sport utility, but don’t necessarily need the off-road and heavy-duty towing capabilities associated with sport utility vehicles.