Centennial motorcade celebrates Henry Ford’s universal car with visits to Detroit area Model T landmarks 

Dearborn, MI, September 27, 2008 – On this day 100 years ago, production began for the legendary Ford Model T. More than 15 million models sold and billions of miles driven, “the machine that changed the world” is celebrating its 100th birthday with a commemorative motorcade that will visit five landmarks that played prominent roles in Ford Motor Company’s illustrious history.

A motorcade comprised of Model Ts and other Ford historical vehicles will gather at Ford World Headquarters to kick-off festivities marking the centennial anniversary, before moving on to the birthplace of the Model T, the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant in Detroit.

“The Model T put the world on wheels and did more, possibly, to restructure the fabric of society than any other single innovation in the 20th century,” said Jim Farley, Ford’s Group Vice President, Marketing and Communications. “Today is a special day for Ford Motor Company as the culmination of the centennial activities draws to a close and we recognize these historic landmarks that ultimately shaped the American landscape."

“Over the many months of celebrations, we’ve been honored to join the thousands of employees, dealers, retirees and Model T enthusiasts who rallied around this historic milestone to recognize Ford’s legacy of innovation – delivering smart, affordable transportation for the masses,” said Farley.

From the Piquette Plant, where a renovated façade will be unveiled, the motorcade will proceed through Detroit, along Lakeshore Drive to the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House where a special announcement will be made by the new president for the House, Kathleen Mullins.

The motorcade will then travel to the Henry Ford Estate – Fair Lane in Dearborn, where guests will be welcomed by Dearborn Mayor, John B. O'Reilly, Jr., and enjoy a host of 1920’s activities, children’s games and entertainment.

Finally, the motorcade will find its way to The Henry Ford, America’s greatest history attraction, for the last celebration. Guests will assemble in the Josephine Ford Plaza at Greenfield Village and be welcomed by the Village Quartet and Village Trio, singing authentic Model T songs.

“This collaboration between Ford Motor Company, The Henry Ford, the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House, the Henry Ford Estate – Fair Lane and the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant is a unique way to tell the story of Henry Ford and the Model T both visually and viscerally,” said Gary R. Familian, Managing Director of MotorCities National Heritage Area. “It will help people to get a better feeling for how Mr. Ford lived his life and the places that helped shape him as an auto pioneer. We hope this will be the first of much collaboration.”

Schedule of Events:

About MotorCities National Heritage Area
The programs and activities of the MotorCities National Heritage Area are designed to increase tourism throughout the State of Michigan; develop and deploy educational and informational programs that tell the story of the automobile industry and labor in our region; and encourage revitalization through conservation. MotorCities was designated by Congress in 1998 and is currently one of 40 National Heritage Areas in the United States. For more information, please visit www.motorcities.org.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 229,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit our website at www.ford.com.

Media Contacts
Pat Liebler, Liebler Group, 248-229-4418, pat@lieblergroup.com 
Marisa Bradley, Ford Motor Company, 313-600-0097, mbradl31@ford.om
Bill Chapin, MotorCities, 313-720-9982, chapinco1@aol.com