Chicago Ford Dealers Bring Celebrities, Music, and Fun to Chicago Auto Show

CHICAGO, Feb. 16, 2007 -- Ford is enlisting Mexican performing artist Patricia Manterola and Grammy-nominated hip-hop singer Kelis to turn up the heat at the Chicago Auto Show. These artists will be supporting various Ford activities including its exclusive automotive sponsorship of the first ever Hispanic day on Feb. 16th.

"We know that these artists will do a great job of generating buzz for Ford," said David Sanabria, Ford Division cross functional marketing manager. "Patricia and Kelis represent great examples of how Ford is finding new and creative ways to connect with our customers."

On Feb. 16th, Ford will be serving as the exclusive automotive sponsor of Hispanic Day. To celebrate this special day, Patricia Manterola will perform on the Telemundo network stage. Manterola will pass out copies of her newest CD and sign autographs. Ford's bilingual product specialists will also provide show goers a chance to win special prizes including T-shirts and key chains. The grand prize will be a trip for two to attend a live taping of the Telemundo sports show, Titulares Y Mas, and a choice between attending tapings of three other popular Telemundo shows: Cada Dia, Cotorreando or Al Rojo Vivo. The winners will also get an exclusive boat ride around Star Island in Florida to see the homes of various celebrities.

Hispanic Day marks a special day for Chicagoland Ford Dealers who will be hosting students from the Hispanic studies program at DePaul University. The students will get a first hand experience of what goes into making an auto show happen for a company like Ford. Ford Motor Company Fund will make a special outreach to young people with a display highlighting its Driving Skills for Life program which focuses on reducing the tragic number of teenagers killed annually in vehicle crashes.

Finally, on Feb. 17th Grammy nominated hip-hop artist Kelis will make an appearance at the Ford display. Kelis is the star of Ford's latest urban marketing campaign for the all-new crossover the Ford Edge. While at the show, she will sign autographs, raffle off autographed Apple iPod Nanos and give away www.FordUrban.com T-shirts.

For more details surrounding Ford's hottest products from the Chicago Auto Show visit: www.fordenespanol.com, www.fordurban.com or www.fordvehicles.com.