Published 06-17-08
Submitted by Ford Motor Company
DEARBORN, MI. - June 17, 2008 - Despite business and economic challenges, Ford Motor Company remains deeply committed to building a sustainable company and contributing to a sustainable world. The company's progress on social, economic and environmental issues is outlined in Ford's 2007/2008 Sustainability Report released today
The report -- the ninth formal, nonfinancial report published by the company - provides updates on the key topics of climate change, mobility, vehicle safety, human rights and sustaining Ford, focusing on the mid-2007 to early 2008 timeframe. It also features commentary from several internal and external experts on important sustainability issues.
While 2007 was a challenging year for Ford, it also was a year of important developments that will help lay the foundation for recovery and growth and position Ford for the long term.
Ford is changing. It is becoming smaller, leaner, more globally integrated and more focused on meeting our customers' needs and wants. It is also a company with sustainability at the heart of its business. Ford’s vision for the 21st century is to provide sustainable transportation that is affordable in every sense of the word: socially, environmentally and economically.
"It became abundantly clear to us that Ford's future success will be determined in no small part by how effectively it responds to sustainability challenges," said Sue Cischke, group vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. "One thing is certain; the future will not look like the present, so we need to respond to sudden changing conditions."
Some significant highlights from the report include:
"Ford's reporting has benefited greatly from open and honest dialogue with shareholders, environmentalists and other key stakeholders on sustainability issues such as global climate change," said Debra Hall, chief operating officer at Ceres, who led the Ceres stakeholder team that advised Ford on its Sustainability Report.
Ford first issued a Corporate Citizenship Report in 1999 to address the company's initiatives regarding social, economic and environmental issues. As industry, business environment and social expectations continue to evolve, so does the report. In 2004, it was renamed the Sustainability Report to better reflect its emphasis on the business case for its approach to environmental and social issues. The printed report is tightly focused on the company's key issues, as well as on Ford's overall vision, strategy, challenges and opportunities, while the full report with more detailed explanation can be found on the Web at www.ford.com/go/sustainability.
"In 2008 and beyond, we will continue to develop our sustainability strategy," Cischke said. "We are pleased with the progress we have made, we know we cannot do it alone, and it will be an exciting ride."
About Ford
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 228,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 159,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln and Mercury, production of which has been announced by the company to be ending in the fourth quarter of 2010. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.
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