Ford Motor Company opens headquarters for Premier Automotive Group in California

For Immediate Release

FORD MOTOR COMPANY OPENS HEADQUARTERS FOR PREMIER AUTOMOTIVE GROUP IN CALIFORNIA

"Green " headquarters is first Ford building - and only in Orange County to secure special environmental

Irvine, Calif., November 9, 2001 - The real estate adage, "Location, Location, Location" comes to life as Ford Motor Company dedicates the new North American Headquarters for its Premier Automotive Group in Southern California. The facility houses the North American headquarters for Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo, as well as the global headquarters for Lincoln Mercury and will enable the company to tap into the trends and styles of Southern California to build a strong national customer focus for each of the luxury brands.

"California offers a trend-setting, diverse and consumer-focused culture and is the ideal location to plan the growth of our premium brands," said Dr. Wolfgang Reitzle, group vice president. Ford Motor Company and president, Premier Automotive Group. "The area between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific comprises the largest luxury vehicle market in the world and it makes terrific sense for us to be at the epicenter."

Designed and developed by Ford Motor Land Services Corporation, the Premier Automotive Group building integrates several "sustainable design" practices to create an environmentally sound and resource-efficient building. The building is the first in Orange County and only the third in California to secure Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

The sustainable design measures include:

• A natural gas fuel cell, which will provide 25 percent of the building's power and hot water.
• Raised floor air distribution system, which allows the company to gamer substantial savings on energy costs.
• "Green" roof on the Product Development Wing, with rooftop landscaping used to create home to more than 30 categories of vegetation; will help save on future roofing costs due to insulation.
• "Green trellises and screens" will shade the top level of the structure and provide insulation to the spaces inside; helps return nature/vegetation that was displaced when the building was constructed.
• 35 Electric Vehicle stations powered by building's main source.
• Use of recycled and recyclable materials - used in the carpet throughout the building and in parts of the furniture.

"Environmental concerns have long been a key issue for the Ford Motor Company," said Sean McCourt, chairman. Ford Motor Land Services Corporation. "Incorporating elements into the design of the new building which allow for the conservation of resources and development of natural habitats was essential to our corporate mission and global future."

Since 1999, the USGBC, through its LEED Green Building Rating System™, has recognized buildings that meet specific sustainable design criteria. Currently, nearly 200 buildings are registered to participate and only 25 buildings have been certified. The building also is a true reflection of the luxury brands themselves. Each floor is designed to reflect the distinct brand qualities. For example:

• Lincoln Mercury lobby - designed as a split configuration to allow both brands to create a distinct statement, while creating a singular environment. Accomplished through the use of a limestone "runway" element, the limestone and the desk are typical Lincoln, while the detailing and choice of color and materials complement the Mercury palette.
• Jaguar lobby - expresses a more open, freeform environment conducive to casual gatherings and displays. Like Jaguar automobiles, the lobby utilizes a series of elegant curved surfaces. The wall is fronted with green glass panels connected with exposed stainless connectors.
• Land Rover lobby - the global design direction is a more sophisticated, less "retail like" environment. The wood ceiling has been substituted for a wood floor. The floor material remains somewhat rugged, and the detailing and finish give the wood a refined quality reflecting the quality of a Land Rover vehicle.
• Volvo lobby - the lobby reflects Volvo's Scandinavian heritage and functional traditions, beginning with a spacious lobby bathed in light wood and Volvo's signature blue. The lobby's lounge acts as an inviting platform for interaction, with various meeting areas including a coffee bar, lounge chairs and conference room.

"A brand is much more than the products sold. It is a reflection of every aspect of a company, from its style and personality to its operations and people," said Reitzle. "The customized surroundings for each of the Premier Automotive Group brands help reinforce the relationship the brands have with everyone and everything that touches them."

The 300,000-square-foot North American Premier Automotive Group headquarters includes a product development wing and a conference center on the ground floor, can house about 800 people and includes a vehicle display area, fitness center and cafe.

The building was designed by LPA, Inc. based in Irvine and constructed by Koll Construction, LP, based in Newport Beach. Charlottesville, Va.-based William McDonough + Partners served as environmental design consultants on the project.