Exhibit 20

NEWS

Contact:
George Pipas
1.313.323.9216
gpipas@ford.com

Media Information Center
1.800.665.1515 or
1.313.621.0504
media@ford.com

Go to http://media.ford.com
for news releases and
high-resolution photographs


IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- -----------------

FORD MOTOR COMPANY REPORTS MARCH U.S. SALES


o        Ford's O'Connor: "We're encouraged by our market share gain in 2003,
         and we intend to keep the momentum going."

o        Land Rover sets new March sales record; Volvo sales up 26 percent



DEARBORN, Mich., April 1 - U.S. customers purchased or leased 302,463 cars and
trucks from Ford, Mercury, Lincoln, Jaguar, Volvo, and Land Rover dealers in
March, down 7.9 percent compared with a year ago.

In the first quarter, the company's sales were 813,214, down 2 percent compared
with a year ago.

"We're encouraged by our market share gain in 2003," said Jim O'Connor, Ford
Group Vice President, North America Marketing, Sales and Service. "In the first
quarter, we achieved one of the largest share increases among all manufacturers
and we intend to keep the momentum going. All along we have said our momentum
would be product-led. We have great products in the showroom today and even
better products on the way."

Ford brand sales in March were 254,765, down 6.6 percent compared with a year
ago. Ford dealers reported higher sales for the Ford Focus (up 13 percent) and
Ford Escape (up 12 percent). Sales for America's best-selling vehicle, the Ford
F-Series truck, were 14 percent lower than a



                                      -2-



year ago and sales for the Windstar minivan were 25 percent lower than a year
ago. Later this year, Ford will introduce the all-new F-150 truck and Freestar
minivan. On a year-to-date basis, Ford sales were about equal to a year ago
(down 1 percent).

Sales for Lincoln were 11 percent lower than a year ago, primarily reflecting
lower sales for the LS sedan and discontinued Continental. The national
advertising campaign for the redesigned mid-size LS sedan began on Friday, March
28. Lincoln dealers reported higher sales of sport utility vehicles (Aviator and
Navigator).

Mercury sales were 28 percent lower than a year ago, primarily reflecting lower
fleet deliveries for the Sable sedan and the discontinuation of the Cougar coupe
and Villager minivan. Sales for the Grand Marquis were higher than a year ago.
Later this year, Mercury will introduce the all-new Mercury Monterey minivan.

Volvo dealers reported near-record March sales of 12,225, up 26 percent compared
with a year ago. Volvo's all-new sport utility vehicle, the XC90, achieved its
best sales month so far (3,366). Volvo sales have increased five months in a
row.

Land Rover dealers reported record March sales of 2,814, up 1.5 percent compared
with a year ago. Sales for the all-new Range Rover more than doubled compared
with a year ago.

Jaguar sales were 3,601, down 42 percent from last year's record sales
reflecting lower sales for the X-TYPE. The all-new XJ sedan will debut at Jaguar
dealers in June.


                                       ###