Ford accelerates to higher ground with new product launches at the 2007 MEIMS

• Five all-new products from Ford, Lincoln and Mercury make their regional debut - including the all-new Ford Mondeo, Mercury Mariner and Lincoln MKZ.

• GT 500 and BP-Ford Focus WRC share the stage at the Ford stand.

• Ford expects to close 2007 with sales of its North American and European products reaching the 65,000 mark.

With over 20 award-winning and world acclaimed vehicles gracing its stand in Dubai World Trade Centre's Hall 3, Ford Middle East is set to captivate motoring enthusiasts as well as trade visitors to the bi-annual show.

'Our participation in this year's Show complements a truly outstanding year for Ford. 2007 has seen us bring no less than 10 new and award-winning products to the region, and we have a few more surprises for our customers during this year's show', said Waldo Galan, managing director of Ford Middle East.

'This has been quite a significant year for the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands as they all expanded their lineups with new and dynamic nameplates, and our product-led drive is going stronger than ever, well over into 2008.'

Ford Middle East's stand will offer visitors the opportunity to witness the debut of no less than five all-new products including the revolutionary and award-winning 2008 Ford Mondeo, the new Focus and Five Hundred, the stylish Mercury Montego and the compact SUV Mariner, as well as the distinguished Lincoln MKZ, the all-new entry level Lincoln sports sedan.

Adrenaline-packed race lovers will be delighted to know that Ford has a lot in-store for them this year with iconic and avant-garde vehicles that were designed to offer maximum performance and driving pleasure. With the pure power of 500 horses the Shelby GT500 needs no introduction as its timeless classic spirit is as desired as ever.

Another attraction to the Ford stand this year is the appearance of the Ford Focus RS World Rally Car, that is driven by UAE driver Khalid Al Qassimi and co-driver Nicky Beech, leaders of the FIA Middle East Championship. The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) sponsored BP-Ford Focus WRC shares the stage with the new 2008MY refreshed Focus that appeared for the first time in the region featuring the dynamic Ford kinetic design along with Mondeo.

'It's all guns blazing this year! Product leadership, innovation, an unsurpassed ownership experience and a clear endeavor to offer customers some of the best products from the Ford plants around the world is what we intend to put on show this year,' said Hussein Murad, director of Sales and Marketing, Ford Middle East.

'Earlier this year, we promised our customers a plethora of new products across our three brands, and we kept our promise with the launches of the all-new Navigator L, Edge, MKX, Milan, Montego, Five Hundred, and we have more to come next month at the show. These new products have seen tremendous response from our dealers as well as our customers, and we are very proud of this. We expect to close 2007 with sales of our North American and European vehicles nearing the 65,000 unit mark.

'This record performance comes from the successful combination of an ever diverse line up of quality products that fit all needs and requirements, our youth communications strategy and our relentless drive for excellent customer service,' added Murad.

'Apart from the products that we bring in, our fruitful year would not have been possible without the ongoing support of our dealers who remain as dedicated to the Ford brands as ever,' continued Murad, who pointed out that over US$100 million have been invested in the past years to develop world-class dealership sales and service facilities especially in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

With only a few months left to 2007 - an extremely busy year for Ford in the Middle East in terms of new product launches - the global automotive leader will be keeping the momentum for 2008 with more exciting additions to the already diverse and extensive line-up of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products in the region. A total of four all new vehicles will be launched next year, including a new addition to the utility vehicle family, expanding it even further.