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.January 21, 2004
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This Week:

• Volkswagen of America, Inc. Prices Its Top Phaeton Model - Most Accessible 12 Cylinder German Luxury Car Ever

• 2005 Cadillac STS Reveal Slated For New York Auto Show

• New 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible Launches Production at Chrysler Group's Toluca Assembly Plant

• The name of the fourth smart model range will be called smart formore

• Jo Cooper Named Group Vice President At Toyota Motor North America In Washington, DC

• More Style, Substance And Value For New Rover 75 Range

• The New BMW R 1200 GS

• Ford Announces New Chief Of Corporate Affairs

• Honda To Introduce V6 Accord Hybrid and Honda-Developed Fuel Cell Stack, Further Advancing Honda Environmental Technology

• DaimlerChrysler's GEM Takes Leadership in Establishing Market for Neighborhood Electric Vehicles

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Ford Announces New Chief Of Corporate Affairs

Photo: Ford Ziad S. Ojakli

DEARBORN, Mich. - Ford Motor Company announced that the Board of Directors has elected Ziad S. Ojakli, a former White House advisor, group vice president of Corporate Affairs. Ojakli was the principal deputy for Legislative Affairs, serving as the president's chief liaison to the United States Senate. He managed daily interactions for the White House with senators. He was involved in strategy and policy development, and coordinated legislative strategy with administration agencies and cabinet departments.

"Ziad brings strong Washington experience to Ford, and I welcome him to the company," said Bill Ford, chairman and chief executive officer, Ford Motor Company. "He will enhance our management team and the company's ability to continue to be a world-class leader in the industry." Ojakli, 36, will have responsibility for Governmental Affairs, Washington Affairs and the company's Corporate Relations activities, which includes the Ford Motor Company Fund. He will report to Ford Vice Chairman Allan Gilmour and be based in Washington D.C. His appointment is effective February 1. Ojakli had been principal deputy of Legislative Affairs for the White House since December 2002 after serving as deputy assistant to President Bush since January 2001.

During his tenure at the White House, Ojakli helped manage the passage of major legislation such as the Tax Relief Act of 2001 and President Bush's education reform initiative. In 2002, he helped secure Trade Promotion Authority for the Bush Administration, and assisted in the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. More recently, he worked to pass the president's Jobs and Growth legislation.

In addition to promoting the president's legislative agenda in the senate, Ojakli directed the administration's efforts to secure confirmation of presidential nominations.

Prior to joining the White House staff, Ojakli served as the senate liaison for the Bush-Cheney Transition Team and as congressional liaison for Victory 2000 at the Republican National Committee.

From 1998 to 2000, Ojakli was policy director and chief of staff to the Senate Republican Conference Secretary, the late Sen. Paul Coverdell (R-GA). Ojakli played a key role in planning and implementing the legislative goals of the senate Republican leadership and was responsible for developing and managing much of the communications strategy for the Republican leadership.

From 1995 to 1998, Ojakli served as chief of staff to Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN) and was Souder's key political and policy advisor. Prior to that, he was a legislative assistant to Sen. Dan Coats (R-IN), specializing in budget, tax, trade and environmental issues.

Ojakli graduated from Georgetown University in 1989 with a bachelor's degree in American Government and is a candidate for a master's degree in American Government from Johns Hopkins University.

(Jan. 19, 2004)