COLOGNE/ BUCHAREST, March 4, 2008 - Ford of Europe welcomes today's ratification of the special law in the Romanian Parliament that allows Ford to take over Automobile Craiova. This is the next big step to finalize the company's purchase of the Romanian vehicle manufacturing facility.

This morning President and CEO of Ford of Europe, John Fleming, and Romanian Prime Minister, Calin Popescu Tariceanu, met at the Geneva Motor Show. John Fleming walked the Romanian Prime Minister through the Ford stand and they took the opportunity to discuss the next steps necessary to complete the transaction.

“Following the European Commission's decision issued last week on the Automobile Craiova privatization, which confirmed that Ford has been open and transparent during the bid process, I was very pleased to meet with the Prime Minister and to reiterate our firm commitment for Craiova,” said John Fleming. "With today's ratification, following the EC approval of February 27, 2008, we are fully prepared to complete all the remaining work and to become the new owners of the Craiova plant in the near future," he concluded.