8-K

                                                     



                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D. C. 20549





                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT




                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                         Date of Report October 10, 1996
                                        ----------------
                        (Date of earliest event reported)


                               FORD MOTOR COMPANY
                               ------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                                    Delaware
                                    --------
                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)


              1-3950                                  38-0549190
              ------                                  ----------
     (Commission File Number)              (IRS Employer Identification No.)


 The American Road, Dearborn,  Michigan                  48121   
 --------------------------------------                  -----
(Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip Code)



       Registrant's telephone number, including area code 313-322-3000
                                                          ------------







Item 5.  Other Events.
- ---------------------

     News release dated October 10, 1996, filed as Exhibit 20 to this Current
Report on Form 8-K, is incorporated by reference herein.


Item 7.  Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                    EXHIBITS
                                    --------

Designation               Description                     Method of Filing
- -----------               -----------                     ----------------

Exhibit 20             News release dated              Filed with this Report.
                       October 10, 1996.



                                    SIGNATURE
                                    ---------
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized on the date indicated.


                                             FORD MOTOR COMPANY
                                             ------------------
                                             (Registrant)


Date:  October 10, 1996                      By:/s/Thomas J. DeZure           
                                               Thomas J. DeZure
                                               Assistant Secretary





                                  EXHIBIT INDEX
                                  -------------


DESIGNATION                    DESCRIPTION                       PAGE


Exhibit 20                  News release dated
                            October 10, 1996.

EX-20

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:       Jon Harmon                     Pam Kueber
               (313) 322-3436                 (313) 248-9037

FORD STREAMLINES COMPONENTS BUSINESS AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT;
HAGENLOCKER, BOOKER NAMED VICE CHAIRMEN;
NASSER TO FAO PRESIDENT; DEVINE EXECUTIVE VP


     DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 10 -- Ford Motor Company today announced a series of
actions designed to build on progress to date and accelerate the transformation
of the company under Ford 2000.

     In an e-mail message to employees, Ford Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer Alex Trotman said that the company will streamline its component
operations into a single enterprise to make them more competitive in the
worldwide automotive components industry. He also said that the company will
simplify its product development structure following the planned reduction of
vehicle platforms by 50 percent.

     "With these moves, we can build on the momentum of Ford 2000 and accelerate
actions required for the company to achieve our quality and cost goals more
quickly," Trotman told employees today.

     "We have come a long way since Ford 2000 was announced, but we all
recognize we have further to travel," Trotman said. "In 1995, we formed the
basic organization for Ford 2000. In 1996, we've gained momentum. In 1997, we
must accelerate the actions required to make us even more competitive."


                                    2

     Ford will group its components operations in a new organization --
Automotive Products Operations -- and align its senior management accordingly.

     The company also will simplify its Product Development organization further
to expedite its efforts to improve quality, reduce costs and enhance its ability
to react quickly to changing market conditions and customer demands.

     These alignments are "a natural evolution in the continuing change we are
bringing about at Ford to make it the most effective and efficient enterprise we
can," said Trotman. "We are separating the automotive components business from
Ford Automotive Operations to focus senior management attention on making it
more competitive in its own right. I have asked Ed Hagenlocker to take on the
crucial assignment of making this happen."

     The management moves include the election of Hagenlocker as a vice chairman
of the company. He will oversee an organization that includes automotive
components, land development, technical affairs and rental car operations.

     His successor as president - Ford Automotive Operations is Jacques Nasser,
who also becomes an executive vice president and chairman, Ford of Europe.

     Wayne Booker also has been elected a vice chairman of the company, with
continuing responsibility for business development in growth markets. Booker has
led the company's recent drive into China, Southeast Asia and India -- these and
other growth markets will become increasingly important to the company in coming
years, Trotman said.

     John Devine has been elected an executive vice president and remains chief
financial officer.

FORD SIMPLIFIES, STREAMLINES PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

     Ford's Product Development Group also was newly aligned today with 11
vehicle line directors grouped into three Vehicle Centers. Jim Englehart has
been elected group vice president - Product Development, succeeding Nasser. The
three Vehicle Centers will be headed by Ford vice presidents Jim Donaldson
(Truck), Richard Parry-Jones (Small and Medium Car), and Ken Kohrs (Large and
Luxury Car).


                                     3

     Neil Ressler remains vice president - Advanced Vehicle Technology, and Jack
Telnack remains vice president - Design. Ford vice president Ken Dabrowski has
been named head of Quality and Process Leadership, a new position which combines
two present FAO organizations and is designed to add focus to processes that
improve quality. Martin Inglis has been elected vice president - Product and
Business Strategy.

     "We have been able to simplify and streamline the organizational structure
now that we are reducing our vehicle platforms by 50 percent," Trotman said.
"Using the 16 vehicle platforms and at the same time increasing the number of
derivatives, we can provide a broader array of vehicles for customers in many
more markets. This simplified product system will help us intensify efforts to
improve quality and lower costs. The winners should be our customers and our
shareholders."

NEW AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS MANAGEMENT

     Automotive Products Operations will be headed by Charlie Szuluk, who has
been elected a group vice president, reporting to Hagenlocker. Szuluk will
oversee four major divisions - Automotive Components, Chassis, Electrical and
Fuel Handling, and Glass. Bob Womac is elected vice president - Automotive
Components Division, succeeding Frank Macher who has decided to retire.

     Also reporting to Hagenlocker will be the Technical Affairs activity led by
Ford vice president John McTague. Technical Affairs includes Research, headed by
Bill Powers, and Environmental and Safety Engineering, headed by Helen
Petrauskas.
 
    "Increasingly, Ford 2000 has become the way we conduct our normal business,
rather than a separate initiative," Trotman continued. "Overall, I'm pleased
with our progress so far and I'm grateful for the dedicated efforts of everyone
at Ford to change this company and move it forward. We have all worked hard, and
together, we have made much progress. Real change is never easy."

     Trotman closed his letter by thanking employees for their dedication and
loyalty.


                                 4

     Meetings with employees are being held today, tomorrow and next week in a
major communications effort to ensure full understanding of the new alignments
and appointments.

     All appointments and elections are effective Nov. 1, 1996.


                                      * * *

MEDIA ADVISORY: Ford Chairman Alex Trotman will be available to answer
questions about this announcement today at noon, in the media center at Ford's
World Headquarters in Dearborn, Mich. Media should park in front of the
building; satellite trucks may park along the east entrance.

LISTEN-IN:  Media who cannot attend can call in to a listen-only telephone line,
(313) 390-9053.

PHOTOS: Photographs of the executives listed in this release can be
downloaded, at no charge, from the Wieck Photo DataBase. Call (214) 392-0888.
The photos, along with additional information about today's announcements, can
be found on Ford's media website, available to registered media.

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10-10-96