PROSPECTUS Dated                              Pricing Supplement No. 44
May 17, 2002                                  Effective August 9, 2004
And PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Dated March 25, 2003


                       U.S. $250,000,000              Rule 424 (B)(3)
                                                  Registration Statement
                    FORD MOTOR CREDIT COMPANY         No. 333-86832

                       FIXED-RATE NOTES


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                    Interest Rate Per Annum
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Period        One       Two      Three     Five     Seven    Ten
Beginning     Year      Years    Years     Years    Years    Years
----------   -------   ------   -------   -------  -------   -------
08/09/04      2.40%     3.20%    3.90%     5.00%    5.50%    6.30%