DEARBORN, Mich., May 13, 2009 – Ford Motor Company is announcing a national sweepstakes for small-business owners for a chance to win one of the latest tools to better manage their business.

Beginning this month, small-business proprietors will be entered into a sweepstakes to win a 2010 Ford Transit Connect van – specifically customized with upfitted equipment to meet the unique needs of their individual business – simply by test-driving one during the introduction period.  Ford also will wrap the winner’s Transit Connect with graphics to serve as a rolling billboard.

“Transit Connect offers small-business owners a unique combination of capacity, perfect size and great fuel economy, so we aim to put entreprenuers behind the wheel,” said Marketing Manager, Damoni Hurt.

The sweepstakes is part of Ford’s comprehensive consumer campaign to put some 3,000 small-business owners in 13 major cities behind the wheel of the 2010 Transit Connect commercial van – even before the vehicle reaches dealer showrooms this summer.

In key markets such as Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, Los Angeles and New York, Ford will reach out to entrepreneurs by visiting their places of business and personally offering Transit Connect test drive opportunities.

Ford also will showcase Transit Connect to small-business professionals at three major conferences this summer, where entrepreneurs come together to share best practices and learn from one another.

The winner of the sweepstakes will be announced in fall 2009.  More information is available by email at info@driveatransitconnect.com or on the Web at www.fordvehicles.com/transitconnect.

For more information: Ford Transit Connect Across America Puts Small-Business Owners Behind the Wheel

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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 205,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.