[OBJECT OMITTED]
Exhibit 5.A
Ford Motor Company
One American Road
P.O. Box 1899
Dearborn, Michigan 48126-1899
June 28, 2000
Ford Motor Company
One American Road
Dearborn, Michigan 48126
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This will refer to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the
"Registration Statement") that is being filed by Ford Motor Company (the
"Company") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission")
pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with
respect to 1,253,108 shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the
Company ("Common Stock"), relating to the Company's Tax-Efficient Savings Plan
for Hourly Employees (the "Plan").
As an Assistant Secretary and Counsel of the Company, I am familiar with
the Certificate of Incorporation and the By-Laws of the Company and with its
affairs, including the actions taken by the Company in connection with the Plan.
I also have examined such other documents and instruments and have made such
further investigation as I have deemed necessary or appropriate in connection
with this opinion.
Based upon the foregoing, it is my opinion that:
(1) The Company is duly incorporated and validly existing as a corporation
under the laws of the State of Delaware.
(2) All necessary corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize the
issuance of the shares of Common Stock being registered under the Registration
Statement, and all such shares of Common Stock acquired by Fidelity Management
Trust Company, as trustee under the Master Trust Agreement dated as of September
30, 1995, as amended, relating to the Plan (the "Master Trust Agreement") and as
trustee under the Plan, in accordance with the Master Trust Agreement and the
Plan will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable when the Registration
Statement shall have become effective and the Company shall have received
therefor the consideration provided in the Plan (but not less than the par value
thereof).
I hereby consent to the use of this opinion as Exhibit 5.A to the
Registration Statement. In giving this consent, I do not admit that I am in the
category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities
Act or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission issued thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/Kathryn S. Lamping
Kathryn S. Lamping
Assistant Secretary and
Counsel
