In his remarks, Mr. Fowler will address the challenges facing the U.S. auto industry today and Ford's aggressive plan to compete and succeed in an ever-changing marketplace. He will outline Ford's comprehensive global strategy and how it will impact the company's work on manufacturing, imports and exports, hybrids and alternative fuels, vehicle safety, and fulfilling customer needs.

Bennie Fowler has been Vice President, Advanced and Manufacturing Engineering (A&ME) and Global Quality, The Americas with Ford Motor Company since August 2005 and the quality position since April 2006.

Mr. Fowler has responsibility for driving quality processes and discipline throughout the design and production of Ford vehicles. He is also responsible for developing product program technology and advanced manufacturing processes, supporting new model launches and ensuring alignment with product development. Prior to this assignment, Mr. Fowler had been Chief Operating Officer, Jaguar and Land Rover, since February 2003. In that role, he had operational responsibility for manufacturing, purchasing, quality and product development for Jaguar and Land Rover. He was located in Great Britain.

Previously, Mr. Fowler had been Executive Director, North America Product Development, since June 2002. He joined Ford as a superintendent at the St. Thomas Assembly Plant in 1990 from Chrysler Corp., where he held various manufacturing management assignments.

From 1978 through 1986, Mr. Fowler worked for General Motors Corp. During his career at Ford, he has held leadership positions at product development and manufacturing, including vehicle line director of Super Duty F-Series Product and plant manager of Wayne Stamping and Assembly. He was instrumental in launching the company's lean manufacturing initiatives.

Mr. Fowler is the founder of Powerstroke Athletic Club, an after-school youth organization based in Southfield, Michigan He continues to be involved in the club's day-to-day operations. A native of Augusta, Georgia, Mr. Fowler holds a bachelor's degree in Business Management from Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, and an MBA in Operations Management from Indiana University.