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[SHEARMAN & STERLING LETTERHEAD]                   EXHIBIT 8.1



                                             June 12, 1998




Ford Motor Credit Company
The American Road
Dearborn, Michigan 48121

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     In connection with the issuance by Ford Motor Credit Company, a Delaware
corporation, of DM2,000,000,000 principal amount of 5 1/4% Notes due June 16,
2008, we hereby consent to the use of our name and confirm to you our tax advice
as set forth under the heading "United States Taxation of Non-United States
Persons" in the Prospectus Supplement dated June 8, 1998 relating to 
registration statement Nos. 333-40477 and 333-50611, to which registration 
statement this consent is an exhibit.


                                        Very truly yours,


                                        /s/ Shearman & Sterling