Progress

In 2009 we introduced a new mandatory online training course for global employees and other personnel that covers key issues contained in our Code of Conduct Handbook. In the 12 months since the new training was introduced, more than 92,000 individuals, or approximately 84 percent of those invited, have completed it.

Also in 2009 we began to update our Policy Letters and Directives to include guidelines for employee conduct and communications in online social media forums, such as Facebook, Twitter and blogs. Our intent is to encourage communication and transparency through these forums, while at the same time ensuring appropriate and ethical conduct and preventing the release of propriety or competitive information. This updating process remains underway, and should be completed in 2010. We will then train our employees on these new guidelines.

In 2009 and early 2010, Ford received a number of recognitions for our corporate responsibility work, our reporting and our governance practices. In 2010, for example, Ford was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute. Ford was one of only 100 companies on the list, and the only automaker. See the Awards and Recognitions page for additional awards received.

Finally, we are including a Public Policy section in this report for the first time, in response to stakeholder feedback. This section consolidates discussion of Ford's positions on key U.S. public policy issues, including climate change, trade, education and health care reform, among others. We are also for the first time listing the major associations and coalitions to which we belong, as well as the membership dues paid to each.

This section of the report discusses Ford's overall and sustainability governance and its management of key sustainability issues.