ON-LINE VOTING BEGINS FOR FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE DIVISION'S NHRA FUNNY CAR DESIGN FOR U.S. NATIONALS

  • Voting for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) design that will be featured on Bob Tasca III's nitro Funny Car for the U.S. Nationals begins today.
       
  • The public is invited to visit www.jdrf.org/ford to make a donation for their favorite design. The top five donation-earning designs by July 31 will be judged and narrowed down to one for reveal at the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis Labor Day weekend.
       

DEARBORN, Mich., June 23, 2008 – Let the voting begin.

After three weeks of collecting car paint scheme designs from Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) kids, on-line voting begins today for the design that will appear on the Motorcraft/Quick Lane/Custom Accessories Shelby Mustang Funny Car, driven by Bob Tasca III, at the NHRA U.S. Nationals later this summer.

Starting today, and running through July 31, the public is invited to visit www.jdrf.org/ford and vote for their favorite design by making a monetary donation to JDRF. The top five donation-earning designs will then be narrowed down to one, which will be featured on Tasca's Shelby Mustang Funny Car during the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis Aug. 29 – Sept. 1.
"We ve received some really great car designs from the kids at JDRF, and all of us with Ford are excited to go on-line and place our vote," said Al Giombetti, Ford Customer Service Division executive director. "To be able to partner with JDRF and give kids a fun and creative way to help raise awareness for a cure for Type 1 diabetes is something that we re really excited about."

The winning designer will be chosen on August 4, 2008, and will be invited to Indianapolis with his or her parents for an official unveiling of their paint scheme, and a chance to hang out with the team and see their car design run during qualifications for the race.

  

About Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)
JDRF is the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 (juvenile) diabetes research worldwide. The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Type 1 diabetes is a disease, which strikes children suddenly and requires multiple injections of insulin daily or a continuous infusion of insulin through a pump. Insulin, however, is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its eventual and devastating complications, which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, and amputation.

Since its founding in 1970 by parents of children with type 1 diabetes, JDRF has awarded more than $1.16 billion to diabetes research, including more than $137 million in FY2007. In FY2007, the Foundation funded 700 centers, grants and fellowships in 20 countries. http://www.jdrf.org 

About Quick Lane
Quick Lane® provides automotive quick services for all makes and models.  Quick Lane's® nationwide network of over 470 facilities provides the convenience of an aftermarket company (no appointment necessary, service while you wait, evening and weekend hours, competitive prices) with the confidence of a major automotive manufacturer (quality parts, factory-trained technicians).  Quick Lane® is a registered trademark of Ford Motor Company. For more information, visit www.quicklane.com.

About Motorcraft
Motorcraft offers a complete line of original equipment-approved parts that are designed, engineered, and recommended by Ford Motor Company. From routine maintenance to underhood and powertrain repairs, Motorcraft parts offer exceptional value with the highest quality and right fit at competitive prices. Motorcraft parts are available locally and are backed nationwide by Ford Motor Company's Service Parts Limited Warranty. For more information, visit www.motorcraft.com.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 244,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo, Mazda, and until completion of their sale, Jaguar Land Rover. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

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