Berlin City Ford Lincoln Mercury

DEARBORN -- With the National Retail Federation predicting a 7.7 percent
drop in 2009 back-to-school spending, cars offering uncompromised safety,
fuel economy and value for the money will be high on shoppers' lists. That's
why Ford Focus was named one of AutoWeek magazine's "2009 Best Cars
for College" and made a repeat appearance on Kelley Blue Book's "Coolest
Cars under $18,000" list. It's also the reason Focus was the No. 1 vehicle
nationwide purchased using Cash for Clunkers funding during July.
For 2010, Focus features the available SYNC hands-free communication
system to help students stay focused on driving while staying in touch.
Every Focus also comes standard with a full complement of safety
equipment, including ABS, Electronic Stability Control and the Fordexclusive
MyKey programmable vehicle key. Plus, Ford will match first-time
buyers' down payments up to $500 on a new Focus through September
30.

Parents can appreciate safety improvements, and all Focus models now
feature four-wheel ABS brakes and AdvanceTrac® with ESC (Electronic
Stability Control) as standard equipment. The systems work together, using
sophisticated sensors to help keep the car under control in extreme
conditions. Also standard on Focus SE, SES and SEL trim levels is a
perimeter alarm system to discourage vehicle theft and tampering - often a
significant problem on high school and college campuses alike.

To help encourage safer driving among younger customers - or roommates
borrowing the car, Focus adds the MyKey system. The vehicle key can be
programmed through the message center to incorporate features such as:
? Persistent Belt-Minder chime
? Limited vehicle top speed of 80 mph
? Traction control system that limits tire spin and that cannot be
deactivated
? Audio system mute until safety belts are fastened; volume then
limited to 44 percent
of maximum system volume
? A speed alert chime at 45, 55 or 65 mphFord's industry-exclusive SYNC hands-free technology is standard on the SES/SEL series and optional on SE. SYNC is a fully integrated in-vehicle, voice-activated
communications and entertainment system allowing customers to use their digital media players, mobile phones and other devices. New this year, SYNC with Traffic, Directions & Information provides simple hands-free access to personalized traffic reports, precise turn-by-turn driving directions and up-to-date information including business listings, news, sports and weather.

When coupled with a compatible phone, SYNC can even receive and respond to text messages using simple voice commands. And SYNC also comes with the ability to call 911 in the event of an accident - an important safety advance built in to SYNC that requires no subscription fees, unlike some competitive systems.

SYNC can also help drivers stay focused and keep both hands on the
steering wheel. A 2003 Ford study showed much higher levels of distraction
among drivers completing manual and/or visual tasks compared with those
using a hands-free, voice activated interface. More telling was evidence that
teens have trouble multi-tasking, and are four times more distracted than
adult drivers when using a cell phone while driving. Hands-free technology
can help driving remain the driver's top priority.

For road trip duties, Focus combines the best of both worlds: A spacious
13.8-cubic-foot trunk stores all the goods four people need for extended
travel. And with an EPA-estimated 35 mpg highway for the standard fivespeed
manual (34 mpg highway with the automatic), Focus can turn a small
pool of gas money into a serious long-distance journey.

And now through September 30, Ford is helping make Focus an even better value: First-time vehicle buyers can get a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $500, on their down payment when they purchase a new Focus. Just visit a
local Ford dealer for full details."The Focus delivers a variety of options, from appearance mods to performance upgrades, on nearly every model," said K.C. Dallia, Focus marketing manager. "And Focus offers amenities usually associated with more expensive cars - heated leather-trimmed front seats, moonroof, SIRIUS® satellite radio and premium audio."