FORD MOTOR CREDIT CO
S-3/A, 1995-12-21
PERSONAL CREDIT INSTITUTIONS
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<PAGE>   1
 
   
                                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 33-62973
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
                            ------------------------
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
    
   
                                       TO
    
 
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
 
                           FORD MOTOR CREDIT COMPANY
               (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER)
 
                                    DELAWARE
         (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)
 
                                   38-1612444
                      (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
 
           THE AMERICAN ROAD, DEARBORN, MICHIGAN 48121 (313) 322-3000
    (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                  OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
 
                              J. D. BRINGARD, ESQ.
                           FORD MOTOR CREDIT COMPANY
                               THE AMERICAN ROAD
                            DEARBORN, MICHIGAN 48121
                                 (313) 322-3000
 (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                             OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
 
                            ------------------------
 
    APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
 
                            ------------------------
 
    IF THE ONLY SECURITIES BEING REGISTERED ON THIS FORM ARE BEING OFFERED
PURSUANT TO DIVIDEND OR INTEREST REINVESTMENT PLANS, PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING
BOX.  / /
    IF ANY OF THE SECURITIES BEING REGISTERED ON THIS FORM ARE TO BE OFFERED ON
A DELAYED OR CONTINUOUS BASIS PURSUANT TO RULE 415 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933, OTHER THAN SECURITIES OFFERED ONLY IN CONNECTION WITH DIVIDEND OR INTEREST
REINVESTMENT PLANS, PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING BOX.  /X/
   
    IF THIS FORM IS FILED TO REGISTER ADDITIONAL SECURITIES FOR AN OFFERING
PURSUANT TO RULE 462(B) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, CHECK THE FOLLOWING BOX AND
LIST THE SECURITIES ACT REGISTRATION STATEMENT NUMBER OF EARLIER EFFECTIVE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SAME OFFERING.  / /  
    IF THIS FORM IS A POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 462(C) 
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, CHECK THE FOLLOWING BOX AND LIST THE SECURITIES ACT 
REGISTRATION STATEMENT NUMBER OF THE EARLIER EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT 
FOR THE SAME OFFERING. / /
    
   
    IF DELIVERY OF THE PROSPECTUS IS EXPECTED TO BE MADE PURSUANT TO RULE 434,
PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING BOX.  / /
    
                            ------------------------
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               TITLE OF EACH                                    PROPOSED          PROPOSED
                  CLASS OF                       AMOUNT          MAXIMUM          MAXIMUM         AMOUNT OF
                 SECURITIES                      TO BE       AGGREGATE PRICE     AGGREGATE      REGISTRATION
              TO BE REGISTERED                 REGISTERED       PER UNIT       OFFERING PRICE        FEE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>            <C>               <C>              <C>
Ford Motor Credit Company Variable
  Denomination Floating Rate
  Demand Notes..............................  $500,000,000         100%*        $ 500,000,000*    $ 72,414**
============================================================================================================
</TABLE>
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
 * Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the amount of the
   registration fee.
    
   
** Previously paid.
    
 
    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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<PAGE>   2
 
   
                             SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
    
   
                            DATED DECEMBER 22, 1995
    
                                 (FORD LOGO)
 
                           FORD MOTOR CREDIT COMPANY
 
                                  $500,000,000
                             VARIABLE DENOMINATION
                           FLOATING RATE DEMAND NOTES
                    OFFERED AS SET FORTH HEREIN PURSUANT TO
                           FORD MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT
                            ------------------------
 
     THE VARIABLE DENOMINATION FLOATING RATE DEMAND NOTES (THE "NOTES") ARE
BEING ISSUED AND OFFERED BY FORD MOTOR CREDIT COMPANY ("FORD CREDIT") PURSUANT
TO THE FORD MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT PLAN (HEREINAFTER CALLED "FORD MONEY MARKET
ACCOUNT" OR THE "PLAN"). THE PLAN IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE CERTAIN INVESTORS
ASSOCIATED WITH FORD CREDIT OR FORD MOTOR COMPANY ("FORD") A CONVENIENT MEANS OF
INVESTING FUNDS DIRECTLY WITH FORD CREDIT. INVESTMENTS BY AN INVESTOR PURSUANT
TO THE PLAN WILL BE USED TO PURCHASE A NOTE, THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF WHICH WILL
BE EQUAL TO THE AGGREGATE OF ALL INVESTMENTS BY THE INVESTOR, TOGETHER WITH
INTEREST ACCRUED THEREON, LESS THE AGGREGATE OF ANY REDEMPTIONS, AND WILL BE
CREDITED TO AN ACCOUNT (THE "PLAN ACCOUNT") ESTABLISHED FOR THE INVESTOR BY THE
AGENT BANK (AS HEREINAFTER DEFINED). SEE "DESCRIPTION OF NOTES", "HOW TO INVEST"
AND "AGENT BANK AND ADMINISTRATION" IN THE PLAN SUMMARY.
 
   
     THE NOTES EARN INTEREST AT A FLOATING RATE PER ANNUM EQUAL TO THE MOST
RECENT SEVEN-DAY AVERAGE YIELD (NON-COMPOUNDED) FOR ALL TAXABLE MONEY FUNDS
REPORTED WEEKLY IN MONEY FUND REPORT(R) PLUS 1/4 OF ONE PERCENTAGE POINT (THE
"BASE RATE"). IN ADDITION, FORD CREDIT MAY FROM TIME TO TIME, AT ITS SOLE
DISCRETION, INCREASE THE RATE OF INTEREST PAYABLE ON THE NOTES BY ADDING TO THE
BASE RATE, FOR ALL OR LESS THAN ALL OF THE NOTES ISSUED PURSUANT TO THE PLAN, AN
INCREMENTAL PER ANNUM RATE (THE "INCREMENTAL RATE"). INTEREST PAYABLE ON NOTES
WILL ACCRUE DAILY AND BE CREDITED TO EACH INVESTOR'S PLAN ACCOUNT AS OF THE LAST
DAY OF EACH CALENDAR MONTH. SEE "INTEREST RATE INFORMATION" IN THE PLAN SUMMARY.
    
 
FOR CURRENT INTEREST RATE INFORMATION INVESTORS MAY CALL TOLL-FREE 800-462-2614
 
     INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO HOW TO INVEST IN NOTES AND HOW TO REDEEM NOTES
CAN BE FOUND UNDER "HOW TO INVEST" AND "HOW TO REDEEM INVESTMENTS" IN THE PLAN
SUMMARY. FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE NOTES CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DESCRIPTION OF
NOTES" IN THE PLAN SUMMARY.
 
     THE NOTES AND THE PLAN ACCOUNTS REPRESENTED THEREBY ARE NON-TRANSFERABLE.
FORD CREDIT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO WITHDRAW, CANCEL OR MODIFY THE OFFER MADE
HEREBY AT ANY TIME. FORD CREDIT MAY REJECT ANY OFFER TO PURCHASE NOTES IN WHOLE
OR IN PART.
 
                            ------------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
    EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
          COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
               PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY
                             IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                            ------------------------
   
                The date of this Prospectus is January   , 1996
    
<PAGE>   3
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     FORD CREDIT AND FORD ARE SUBJECT TO THE INFORMATIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 AND IN ACCORDANCE THEREWITH FILE REPORTS AND
OTHER INFORMATION WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE
"COMMISSION"). AS USED HEREIN, "FORD" REFERS TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND ITS
SUBSIDIARIES UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES. SUCH REPORTS AND OTHER
INFORMATION CAN BE INSPECTED AND COPIED AT THE PUBLIC REFERENCE FACILITIES
MAINTAINED BY THE COMMISSION AT 450 FIFTH STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
AND AT THE FOLLOWING REGIONAL OFFICES OF THE COMMISSION: 7 WORLD TRADE CENTER,
13TH FLOOR, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048 AND NORTHWEST ATRIUM CENTER, 500 WEST
MADISON STREET, SUITE 1400, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60661. COPIES OF SUCH MATERIAL CAN
BE OBTAINED FROM THE PUBLIC REFERENCE SECTION OF THE COMMISSION AT 450 FIFTH
STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 AT PRESCRIBED RATES. SUCH REPORTS AND OTHER
INFORMATION CONCERNING FORD CREDIT AND FORD CAN ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THE OFFICES
OF THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC., 20 BROAD STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10005,
ON WHICH CERTAIN OF FORD CREDIT'S DEBT SECURITIES ARE LISTED.
 
     Ford Credit has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement under
the Securities Act with respect to the Debt Securities offered hereby. This
Prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the Registration
Statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto, certain portions of which have
been omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Commission. The
information so omitted may be obtained from the Commission's principal office in
Washington, D.C. upon payment of the fees prescribed by the Commission.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
   
     Ford Credit's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1994 (the "1994 10-K Report"), Ford Credit's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for
the quarters ended March 31, 1995 (the "First Quarter 10-Q Report"), June 30,
1995 (the "Second Quarter 10-Q Report") and September 30, 1995 (the "Third
Quarter 10-Q Report") and Ford Credit's Current Reports on Form 8-K dated
January 17, 1995, February 10, 1995, February 17, 1995, February 21, 1995, March
24, 1995, July 19, 1995, October 5, 1995, October 10, 1995, October 17, 1995, 
October 20, 1995, November 6, 1995, November 27, 1995, December 7, 1995 and 
December 14, 1995 are incorporated in this Prospectus by reference. All 
documents filed by Ford Credit pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of 
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the date of this Prospectus and 
prior to the termination of the offering of the Debt Securities shall be deemed 
to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and to be a part hereof 
from the date of filing such documents. Such reports include, and such 
documents may include, information concerning Ford, as well as Ford Credit.
    
 
     FORD CREDIT UNDERTAKES TO PROVIDE WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM A
COPY OF THIS PROSPECTUS HAS BEEN DELIVERED, ON THE WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST OF
ANY SUCH PERSON, A COPY OF ANY OR ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO ABOVE WHICH
HAVE BEEN OR MAY BE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS, OTHER THAN
EXHIBITS TO SUCH DOCUMENTS. WRITTEN OR TELEPHONIC REQUESTS FOR SUCH DOCUMENTS
SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO FORD MOTOR CREDIT COMPANY, THE AMERICAN ROAD, DEARBORN,
MICHIGAN 48121, ATTENTION: PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT (TELEPHONE 313-594-1096).
 
                            ------------------------
 
     The following information, which is being disclosed pursuant to Florida
law, is accurate as of the date of this Prospectus: Autolatina-Comercio,
Negocios e Participacoes Ltda., a Brazilian company ("Autolatina"), is a joint
venture between Ford Motor Company ("Ford") and Volkswagen AG in which Ford has
a 49% ownership interest. Autolatina occasionally sells vehicles to persons
located in Cuba. Each such sale is made pursuant to a specific license granted
to Ford by the U.S. Department of Treasury. The last such sale, which involved
one medical supply vehicle, was made to Cubanacan in April 1991. Current
information concerning Autolatina's or its Ford-related affiliates' business
dealings with the government of Cuba or with persons located in Cuba may be
obtained from the State of Florida Department of Banking and Finance at The
Capitol Building, Suite 1401, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0350 (telephone number
940-488-0545).
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   4
 
                           FORD MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT
                                  PLAN SUMMARY
 
                                    GENERAL
 
   
     Rights of investors under the Plan, and the limitations on such rights,
together with the principal provisions of the Plan, are summarized in the next
few pages. This summary is subject to the detailed provisions of the Plan, which
are controlling. A copy of the Plan is filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus is a part. A copy of the Plan will be made
available to any investor upon written or telephonic request. Written or
telephone requests for a copy of the Plan should be directed to Ford Motor
Credit Company, The American Road, Dearborn, Michigan 48121, Attention:
Secretary (Telephone 313-594-9876).
    
 
     All investments under the Plan are used to purchase Notes. A Note
evidencing investments under the Plan and interest thereon is issued to each
investor upon initial establishment of a Plan Account. The principal amount of
the Note, plus interest accrued and unpaid thereon, is recorded on a register
maintained by The Northern Trust Company (the "Agent Bank").
 
     Current account information can be obtained by calling toll-free
800-462-2614. The investor also may write to Ford Money Market Account, The
Northern Trust Company, P.O. Box 75936, Chicago, Illinois 60675-5936 to obtain
such information. Further information about the Plan and assistance in opening
an account can be obtained by calling the above number or writing to the above
address.
 
     A Plan Account is not equivalent to a bank account and is not subject to
the protection of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or other insurance.
Since all funds under the Plan will be invested in the securities of a single
issuer (Ford Credit), investors will not have the advantage of diversification
offered by money funds and will not have the protection provided by the
Investment Company Act of 1940.
 
     The mailing address of the principal executive offices of Ford Credit is
The American Road, Dearborn, Michigan 48121. The telephone number of such
offices is (313) 322-3000.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                           INTEREST RATE INFORMATION
 
     Investments in Notes under the Plan earn interest at a floating rate per
annum equal to (i) the Base Rate (such rate being the most recent seven-day
average yield (non-compounded) for all taxable money funds reported weekly in 
Money Fund Report(R)*, plus an additional 1/4 of one percentage point) plus 
(ii) the Incremental Rate, if any.** Interest on amounts credited to Plan 
Accounts is accrued daily and credited to Plan Accounts monthly as of the last
day of each month.
 
     The interest rate is determined and becomes effective on the next following
Monday each time a new seven-day average yield (non-compounded) for all taxable
money funds reported in Money Fund Report(R) is available. The new seven-day
average yield (non-compounded) plus an additional 1/4 of a percentage point
becomes the Base Rate for the following seven-day period. If in any week
 
- ---------------
 
      * Money Fund Report(R) is a registered trademark of IBC/Donoghue, Inc.
 
     ** Some individual taxable money funds from time to time may have earned
(or may earn) yields greater than those provided under the Plan.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
Money Fund Report(R) is not available, the Base Rate for the following calendar
week will be the same as that for the previous calendar week. If Money Fund
Report(R) ceases to be published, an approximately equivalent effective Base
Rate for investments under the Plan will be determined on the basis of a formula
established by Ford Credit.
 
     Money Fund Report(R) is published weekly and includes yield statistics for
nearly all taxable money funds in operation. The reported yields are obtained
from the money funds themselves and are stated on a consistent simple interest
basis to represent the annualized total yield to the investor, after deducting
any management fees and expenses of each of the money funds. While Money Fund
Report(R) states that the yield information obtained from money funds is
screened by the publisher, no guarantee of the accuracy of the information
contained in Money Fund Report(R) is made by Ford Credit.
 
     Interest credited for any given past period on investments under the Plan
is not an indication or representation of future results. Because the weekly
interest rate applicable to investments under the Plan may fluctuate, such
information may not provide a basis for comparison with bank deposits, other
investments which pay a fixed yield for a stated period of time, or investment
companies, including money funds, which may use a different method of
calculating yield. For information on the current interest rate applicable to
investments under the Plan, call toll-free 800-462-2614.
 
                                 HOW TO INVEST
 
GENERAL
 
     Investments in Notes under the Plan may be made at any time, without charge
to the investor, by check, by wire transfer, by automatic charge to the
investor's bank account or by such other means as Ford Credit shall from time to
time determine. The minimum initial amount which investors may invest under the
Plan is $250. The minimum amount for subsequent investments is $50. A minimum
investment balance (presently set at $250) must be maintained in each account at
all times. All investments must be made in U.S. dollars. Accounts may be
individual, joint, custodial or trust accounts and may be opened by individuals,
corporations, partnerships, firms or associations.
 
INVESTMENTS BY CHECK
 
     Investments may be made by sending a check to Ford Money Market Account,
The Northern Trust Company, P.O. Box 75935, Chicago, Illinois 60675-5935. Checks
should be made payable to the Ford Money Market Account. Checks opening an
account must be for a minimum of $250 and should be accompanied by a completed
account application. For subsequent investments, investors with existing
accounts should indicate their account number on the check and enclose an
investment form which has been provided as a detachable stub on statements and
investment confirmations mailed by the Agent Bank. Check investments sent
regular mail and received by the Agent Bank prior to 9:00 a.m. E.S.T. will be
credited to the investor's investment account on the first business day
following the business day on which the check investment is received by the
Agent Bank in proper form. Investments received by the Agent Bank after that
time on a business day, or received by the Agent Bank on a non-business day,
will be credited to the investor's account on the day following the first
business day after such investment is received. Investment checks sent by
overnight delivery and received by the Agent Bank will be credited to the
investor's account on the first business day following receipt. Interest will
begin to accrue on the check investment when the check is credited to the
investor's account. Checks are accepted subject to collection at full face value
in U.S. funds and must be drawn in U.S. dollars on a bank in the U.S.
Investments made by check may be redeemed after 5 business days or such shorter
time as shall be determined from time to time by Ford Credit.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
INVESTMENTS BY WIRE
 
     Investors may invest in Notes under the Plan by wiring Federal Funds to
Ford Money Market Account, The Northern Trust Company. Federal Funds are a
commercial bank's deposits in a Federal Reserve Bank and can be transferred on
the same day from one bank which is a member of the Federal Reserve System to
another bank which also is a member of the System. The Routing Code of The
Northern Trust Company for wire transfers is 0710-00152. For all wire
investments, the wire must include the name of the Plan and the investor's name,
address, and investment account number. Investments made by Federal Funds
received by the Agent Bank prior to 2:00 p.m. E.S.T. will be credited to the
investor's account on the business day received. Investments by wire transfer
received after the aforementioned time on a business day or on a non-business
day will be credited to the investor's account on the first business day after
such investment is received. Interest will commence to accrue on the business
day the investment is credited to the investor's account. Wiring funds other
than Federal Funds to the Agent Bank may result in a delay in crediting the wire
investment to the investor's account. Neither Ford Credit nor the Agent Bank
will be responsible for delays in the funds wiring system.
 
INVESTMENTS BY AUTOMATIC OR PERIODIC CHARGE TO BANK ACCOUNTS
 
     Investors may invest in Notes under the Plan by authorizing the Agent Bank
to make automatic monthly or periodic charges of $50 or more to their bank
accounts. Upon receipt of written authorization in proper form, the Agent Bank
will prepare an electronic funds transfer drawn against an investor's bank
account for the prescribed amount and will invest the proceeds in the investor's
Plan Account. The proceeds will accrue interest under the Plan on the same
conditions as set forth under "Investments by Check". Investors may change the
amount of the automatic or periodic investment (subject to the $50 monthly
minimum) or terminate investments at any time by providing notice in writing to
the Agent Bank. The requested change or termination will be effective as soon as
practicable after receipt of written notice by the Agent Bank.
 
     To establish the Automatic or Periodic Charge to bank accounts, investors
should obtain the necessary authorization forms directly from the Agent Bank.
 
INVESTOR ACCOUNTS
 
     The Agent Bank maintains a Plan Account for each account opened by an
investor. The account balance is equal to all amounts invested in such account,
together with interest accrued thereon, and less redemptions. Shortly after the
end of each month, the Agent Bank will send an account statement to each
investor setting forth a summary of all transactions in the investor's Plan
Account during the month, including beginning and ending account balances and
interest paid for the month. Separate statements will be sent for each open
account. The full amount of the taxable interest income reportable for Federal
income tax purposes for the year also will be provided.
 
     An investor may close an account(s) and terminate participation in the Plan
at any time by notifying the Agent Bank. In such event, the principal amount of
the Note issued with respect to the account, plus accrued and unpaid interest,
will thereupon be redeemed and the proceeds distributed by wire or by mail in
accordance with the applicable wire or mail redemption instructions.
 
     Because of the relatively high cost of maintaining small accounts, Ford
Credit reserves the right to close any Plan Account with a current balance of
less than $250. The account will be closed by redeeming the principal amount of
the Note, plus accrued and unpaid interest, and mailing the proceeds to the
registered address. The investor will be notified if a Plan Account is to be
closed.
 
     In addition, Ford Credit reserves the right to close any Plan Account as to
which the redemption provisions or other provisions of the Plan have been
abused.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
 
                           HOW TO REDEEM INVESTMENTS
 
GENERAL
 
     An investor may redeem all or any part of an investment at any time without
charges or penalties. Investments may be redeemed by writing a redemption check,
by writing, telephoning or telexing a request for redemption by bank check and
by wire transfer. If the amount to be redeemed represents an investment made by
check, the redemption request will not be honored if made within a period of 5
business days from the receipt of such investment check. Investors who need more
immediate access to their funds may avoid this delay by investing under the Plan
through one of the other available means of investment. Investors liquidating
their holdings and closing their accounts will receive all accrued and unpaid
interest.
 
REDEMPTION BY BANK CHECK
 
     An investor may redeem investments in an account at any time by writing,
telephoning or telexing the Agent Bank requesting redemption. Redemptions will
be made by bank check, ($250 minimum) mailed to the registered account address.
If the investor has not selected this Redemption by Bank Check Option, the
redemption request must be accompanied by guaranteed signatures of all
Registered Account Owners. The signatures must be guaranteed. Guarantees must be
signed by an authorized signatory and the statement "Signature Guaranteed" must
appear with the signature. Notarized signatures are not sufficient. The
signature guarantee is to prevent fraud or misrepresentation and is for the
protection of the investor. In certain instances, additional documentation may
be required including, but not limited to, trust instruments, birth
certificates, death certificates, or appointments as executor or administrator.
 
     Written requests for redemption by bank check should be sent to Ford Money
Market Account, The Northern Trust Company, P.O. Box 75936, Chicago, Illinois
60675-5936. All written requests for redemption require the signatures of all
persons in whose names the account is registered, including joint owners, signed
exactly as their names appear on the Account Application submitted to the Agent
Bank. If the request in proper form for redemption by bank check is received by
the Agent Bank in its Ford Money Market Account Servicing Area prior to 11:00
a.m. E.S.T. on a business day, the bank check normally will be mailed on that
business day. Bank checks normally will be mailed on the next business day if
the redemption request, in proper form, is received by the Agent Bank after
11:00 a.m. E.S.T. on a business day. Interest will accrue to but not including
the business day the bank check is prepared.
 
     Written and telephone redemption requests should not be made to Ford or
Ford Credit.
 
CHECK REDEMPTION
 
     Investors will be provided with a supply of redemption checks free of
charge following receipt by the Agent Bank of a properly completed Account
Application on which the Check Redemption Option is requested. If the Check
Redemption Option is requested by written request after an Account Application
has been submitted, all owners of the Plan Account must sign the written request
and have their signatures guaranteed as described above under "Redemption by
Bank Check". Investors electing the Check Redemption Option may order additional
redemption checks by using the check reorder form in their current checkbook or
by telephoning The Northern Trust Company toll-free at 800-462-2614. Redemption
checks will be sent only to the Registered Account Owners and only to the
Registered Account Address. Election of the Check Redemption Option does not
create a checking or other bank account or a depositor or banking relationship
with the Agent Bank or Ford Credit.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
 
     The investor may make redemption checks payable to the order of anyone in
any amount not less than $250. Checks presented for less than the minimum
redemption amount will not be honored. If the investor's account is a joint
account with others, all must sign the redemption checks unless specified
differently on the Account Application or subsequent written request and so
indicated on the checks. The amount of the Note to be redeemed by check will
continue accruing interest until the redemption check is presented for payment.
 
     If the amount of a redemption check is greater than the balance in the
investor's Plan Account, the check will not be honored and will be returned
marked "insufficient funds" and the investor will be charged the fee normally
charged by the banking system. Investors also will be charged for placing a stop
order on a redemption check. Redemption checks on which payment has been made
will be returned to the investor by the Agent Bank only upon the investor's
request. Ford Credit reserves the right at any time to modify, terminate or
suspend the procedures permitting check redemptions.
 
REDEMPTION BY WIRE TRANSFER
 
     By selecting the Redemption by Wire Transfer Option on the Account
Application or in a subsequent written request, investors may arrange to have
redemption proceeds of $1,000 or more wired in Federal Funds to a predesignated
bank account. By use of this redemption option, the investor authorizes the
Agent Bank to act on telephone, telex or written redemption instructions,
without signature guarantees, from any person or persons representing themselves
to be the registered owners of the account. The Agent Bank's records of such
instructions are binding. In order to be eligible for redemption by wire
transfer, the investor must designate the U.S. commercial bank, savings bank or
credit union and account number to receive wire redemption proceeds. If the wire
redemption request, in proper form, is received by the Agent Bank prior to 2:00
p.m. E.S.T. on a business day, redemption proceeds will normally be wired to the
predesignated bank account on that business day. Redemption proceeds will
normally be wired to the predesignated bank account on the next business day if
the redemption request, in proper form, was received by the Agent Bank after
2:00 p.m. E.S.T. Interest will accrue to but not including the business day the
redemption proceeds are wired.
 
     An investor who has not selected the Redemption by Wire Transfer Option on
the Account application or in a subsequent written request may request
redemption by wire transfer subject to the conditions described in the preceding
and following paragraphs and to the additional condition that such request be in
writing accompanied by guaranteed signatures of all Registered Account Owners
whose signatures are required for a redemption by check.
 
     Wire redemption instructions must include the name of the Plan (Ford Money
Market Account), the investor's name, the Plan Account number, the name(s) of
the registered owner(s) submitting the wire redemption request and the Routing
Code of the predesignated bank. Wire redemption instructions may be effected by
telephoning the Agent Bank toll-free at 800-462-2614. The predesignated bank and
account number may be changed only upon written request to the Agent Bank with
the signature of each registered owner (including joint owners) of the Plan
Account guaranteed. Neither the Agent Bank nor Ford Credit will be responsible
for delays in the funds wiring system or the authenticity of withdrawal
instructions. Wire redemption proceeds will be wired to a predesignated account
at a bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System, or to a correspondent
bank of the predesignated bank if the predesignated bank is not a member of the
Federal Reserve System. If the correspondent bank fails to notify the
predesignated bank immediately, there may be a delay in crediting the funds to
the predesignated bank account. The procedures permitting redemptions by wire
may be modified, terminated or suspended at any time by Ford Credit.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
 
                              DESCRIPTION OF NOTES
 
GENERAL
 
     The Notes are issuable under an Indenture dated as of July 1, 1985, as
supplemented (the "Indenture"), between Ford Credit and The Bank of New York
(The Bank of New York, in its capacity as Trustee under the Indenture, or any
successor trustee is hereinafter referred to as the "Trustee"). A copy of the
Indenture also is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, filed with
the Commission, covering the offering of Notes under the Plan, and statements
herein relating to the Notes are subject to the detailed provisions of the
Indenture. Whenever any particular section of the Indenture or any term used
therein is referred to, the statement in connection with which such reference is
made is qualified in its entirety by such reference. Ford Credit may from time
to time enter into one or more additional supplemental indentures without the
consent of the holders of the Notes, providing for the issuance of Notes under
the Indenture in addition to the principal amount authorized thereunder on the
date of this Prospectus.
 
     The Notes will be unsecured obligations of Ford Credit, will be issued in
registered form only, without coupons, and will be identical except for the
issue date. The Notes will not be subject to any sinking fund and will be
redeemable at the option of the holder thereof as described below. The Notes
will rank prior to all subordinated indebtedness of Ford Motor Credit Company
(parent company only) and pari passu with all other indebtedness of Ford Motor
Credit Company (parent company only).
 
LIMITATION ON LIENS
 
     If Ford Credit or any Restricted Subsidiary shall pledge or otherwise
subject to any lien (such a pledge or lien will be defined in the Indenture as a
"Mortgage") any of its property or assets, Ford Credit will secure or cause such
Restricted Subsidiary to secure the Notes equally and ratably with (or prior to)
the indebtedness secured by such Mortgage. This restriction will not apply to
Mortgages securing such indebtedness which shall not exceed $5 million in the
aggregate at any one time outstanding and will not apply to (a) certain
Mortgages created or incurred to secure financing of the export or marketing of
goods outside the United States, (b) Mortgages on accounts receivable payable in
foreign currencies securing indebtedness incurred and payable outside the United
States, (c) Mortgages in favor of Ford Credit or any Restricted Subsidiary, (d)
Mortgages in favor of governmental bodies to secure progress, advance or other
payments, or deposits with any governmental body required in connection with the
business of Ford Credit or a Restricted Subsidiary, (e) deposits made in
connection with pending litigation, (f) Mortgages existing at the time of
acquisition of the assets secured thereby (including acquisition through merger
or consolidation) and certain purchase money Mortgages, and (g) any extension,
renewal or replacement of any Mortgage or Mortgages referred to in the foregoing
clauses (a) through (f), inclusive. (Section 5.05 in the Indenture)
 
     The term "subsidiary of the Company" is defined in the Indenture as a
corporation a majority of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned,
directly or indirectly, by Ford Credit or by one or more subsidiaries of Ford
Credit or by Ford Credit and one or more subsidiaries of Ford Credit. The term
"Restricted Subsidiary" is defined in the Indenture as a subsidiary of the
Company, incorporated in or conducting the major part of its business in the
United States, any of the activities of which includes insurance underwriting or
which had, at the end of its last quarterly accounting period preceding the date
of computation, assets with a value in excess of $1 million representing
accounts or notes receivable resulting from the financing of new cars, trucks,
tractors and farm and industrial equipment manufactured or sold by Ford or from
the financing of used cars, trucks, tractors and farm and industrial equipment
of the same types, whether manufactured by Ford or others. (Section 1.01 in the
Indenture) Ford Holdings, Inc., ("Ford Holdings") which owns The American Road
Insurance Company ("American Road") and the other insurance businesses formerly
owned by Ford Credit, is not a subsidiary of the Company and therefore not a
Restricted Subsidiary, as such terms are defined in the Indenture. So long as
stock of Ford Holdings is directly
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
 
owned by Ford Credit or by a Restricted Subsidiary, such stock will be subject
to this "Limitation on Liens" section. Ford Credit currently owns its stock in
Ford Holdings directly but is under no obligation to continue to do so.
 
MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION
 
     The Indenture provides that no consolidation or merger of Ford Credit with
or into any other corporation shall be permitted, and no sale or conveyance of
its property as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, may be made to
another corporation, if, as a result thereof, any asset of Ford Credit or a
Restricted Subsidiary would become subject to a Mortgage, unless the Notes shall
be equally and ratably secured with (or prior to) the indebtedness secured by
such Mortgage, or unless such Mortgage could be created pursuant to Section 5.05
in the Indenture (see "Limitation on Liens" above) without equally and ratably
securing the Notes. (Section 12.03 in the Indenture)
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND NOTICE THEREOF
 
     The following events are defined in the Indenture as "Events of Default":
failure to pay principal or interest when due; failure to perform any other
covenants for 90 days after notice; and certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency
or reorganization. (Section 7.01 in the Indenture)
 
     The Indenture provides that the Trustee shall, within 90 days after the
occurrence of a default, give the Noteholders notice of all uncured defaults
known to it (the term default to include the events specified above without
grace periods); provided that, except in the case of default in the payment of
principal or interest on any of the Notes, the Trustee shall be protected in
withholding such notice if it in good faith determines that the withholding of
such notice is in the interests of the Noteholders. (Section 7.07 in the
Indenture)
 
     Ford Credit is required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement of
certain officers of Ford Credit stating whether or not to the best of their
knowledge Ford Credit is in default in the performance and observance of the
terms of the Indenture and, if Ford Credit is in default, specifying such
default. (Section 5.06 in the Indenture)
 
     The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all outstanding
Notes have the right to waive certain defaults and, subject to certain
limitations, to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings
for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power
conferred on the Trustee. (Section 7.06 in the Indenture) The Indenture provides
that, in case an Event of Default shall occur (which shall not have been cured
or waived), the Trustee is required to exercise such of its rights and powers
under the Indenture, and to use the degree of care and skill in their exercise,
that a prudent man would exercise or use in the conduct of his own affairs, but
otherwise need only perform such duties as are specifically set forth in the
Indenture. (Section 8.01 in the Indenture) Subject to such provisions, the
Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the
Indenture at the request of any of the Noteholders unless they shall have
offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity. (Section 8.02 in the
Indenture)
 
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURE
 
     With certain exceptions, under the Indenture, the rights and obligations of
Ford Credit and the rights of the Noteholders may be modified by Ford Credit
with the consent of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% in aggregate principal
amount of the Notes then outstanding; but no such modifications may be made
which would (i) diminish the principal amount of any Note, or accrued and unpaid
interest thereon; or (ii) reduce the above-stated percentage of Notes, the
consent of the holders of which is required to modify or alter the Indenture,
without the consent of the holders of all Notes then outstanding. (Section 11.02
in the Indenture)
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
 
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
 
     The Bank of New York, the Trustee under the Indenture, is also the trustee
under indentures covering a number of outstanding issues of notes and debentures
of Ford Credit and Ford, is a depositary of Ford Credit and Ford, has from time
to time made loans to Ford Credit, Ford and its subsidiaries and has performed
other services for such companies in the normal course of its business.
 
   
                         AGENT BANK AND ADMINISTRATION
    
 
     Ford Credit employs The Northern Trust Company, 50 South LaSalle Street,
Chicago, Illinois 60675 as the Agent for Ford Money Market Account. Services
performed by the Agent Bank include establishment and maintenance of Plan
Accounts, including transactions processing and accounting; preparation of
account statements and other correspondence; investor servicing; advice on the
principal balance of Plan Accounts; accrual of interest income and payment of
interest earned; and required tax reporting and filings with proper authorities.
For these services, Ford Credit pays the Agent Bank an agency and administrative
fee monthly based on the number of Plan Accounts in the Plan with positive
balances at the end of each month, as well as reasonable out-of-pocket costs
(such as, but not limited to, postage, forms, telephone and wire expenses).
These costs and all other costs incurred in the operation of the Plan are paid
by Ford Credit. Investors are not charged administrative service fees or
custodian fees of any kind and are free to invest in or redeem amounts in Plan
Accounts at any time without any investment charges or redemption fees or
penalties whatsoever except that investors will be charged the fee normally
charged by the banking system in the event that either a redemption check is
written for an amount in excess of the balance in the investor's Plan Account or
an investment check from an investor is returned for insufficient funds.
Investors making investments or requesting redemption by wire transfer may be
charged applicable fees by the commercial bank handling the transfer. Also,
investors may incur charges in obtaining required signature guarantees.
 
     Ford Credit has created the Ford Money Market Account Committee (the "Plan
Committee") all the members and alternate members of which are employees of Ford
Credit. The persons elected or appointed to the following offices of Ford Credit
are members of the Committee: The President, the Executive Vice
President-Finance, and the Vice President-General Counsel. The persons elected
or appointed to the following offices of Ford Credit are the alternate members
of the Committee: The Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Assistant
Treasurer-Debt Management, and the Secretary. The address of each such person is
The American Road, Dearborn, Michigan 48121.
 
     The Committee assists in the administration of the Plan, interprets its
provisions, prescribes rules, regulations and forms in connection therewith and
sets and adjusts the rate or rates of interest to be paid on the Notes.
 
                                     TAXES
 
     The Plan is not qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue
Code. Accordingly, all interest credited to the Notes or paid in any taxable
year is reportable by the investor, and other account holders, as taxable income
for Federal income tax purposes. No part of the taxable interest is excludable
from taxable income.
 
     The December statement to the investor or other account holders from the
Agent Bank each year will state the full amount reportable as taxable income.
The Agent Bank also will file tax information returns as required by law. State
and local income taxes and related tax reporting also may be applicable.
Investors are individually responsible for complying with applicable Federal,
state and local tax laws and should consult their individual tax advisors
regarding any specific questions.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
                    TERMINATION, SUSPENSION OR MODIFICATION
 
     Ford Credit expects that Ford Money Market Account will continue in the
forseeable future, but reserves the right at any time to terminate, to suspend
or from time to time to modify the Plan in part, or in its entirety, or in
respect of categories of investors, including investors located in one or more
jurisdictions. Ford Credit may, in its discretion, temporarily suspend the
acceptance of new investments in Notes without such suspension constituting a
suspension or termination of the Plan. Any modification that affects the rights
or duties of the Trustee may be made only with the consent of the Trustee. No
termination, modification or suspension may affect the right of an investor to
redeem amounts credited to an account or diminish the amounts credited thereto
as of the effective date thereof.
 
                            RIGHTS NOT TRANSFERABLE
 
     No right or interest in or to a Note or a Plan Account is assignable or
transferable in whole or in part except for redemptions and no attempted
assignment or transfer otherwise will be effective. Except for redemptions, and
except for the right to debit amounts credited in error to a Plan Account, no
right or interest of any investor in an account under the Plan shall be liable
for, or subject to, any obligation or liability of such investor.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
                       INFORMATION CONCERNING FORD CREDIT
 
     Ford Credit was incorporated in Delaware in 1959 and is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Ford. As used herein "Ford Credit" refers to Ford Motor Credit
Company and its subsidiaries unless the context otherwise requires.
 
     Ford Credit provides wholesale financing and capital loans to franchised
Ford Motor Company vehicle dealers and other dealers associated with such
franchisees and purchases retail installment sale contracts and retail leases
from them. Ford Credit also makes loans to vehicle leasing companies, the
majority of which are affiliated with such dealers. In addition, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Ford Credit provides these financing services to other vehicle
dealers. More than 84% of all new vehicles financed by Ford Credit are
manufactured by Ford or its affiliates. In addition to vehicle financing, Ford
Credit makes loans to affiliates of Ford, finances certain receivables of Ford
and its subsidiaries, and offers diversified financing services which are
managed by USL Capital Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ford Holdings.
Ford Credit also manages the insurance business of American Road, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Ford Holdings. Ford Credit also is a significant equity
participant in Ford Holdings whose primary activities are consumer and
commercial financing operations, insurance underwriting and equipment leasing.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The net proceeds from the sale of the Notes will be added to the general
funds of Ford Credit and will be available for the purchase of receivables, for
loans and for use in connection with the retirement of debt. Such proceeds
initially may be used to reduce short-term borrowings (commercial paper,
borrowings under bank lines of credit and borrowings under agreements with bank
trust departments) or may be invested temporarily in short-term securities.
 
     Ford Credit expects to issue additional long-term and short-term debt from
time to time. The nature and amount of Ford Credit's long-term and short-term
debt and the proportionate amount of each can be expected to vary from time to
time, as a result of business requirements, market conditions and other factors.
 
   
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
    
 
     The Notes are offered on a continuing basis by Ford Credit directly on its
behalf and no commissions will be paid. Ford Credit may from time to time
designate agents in certain jurisdictions through whom Notes may be offered.
Such agents shall receive no commissions but shall be reimbursed for certain
expenses incurred in connection with such efforts. Ford Credit has the sole
right to accept offers to purchase Notes and may reject any proposed purchase of
Notes in whole or in part.
 
                                 LEGAL OPINIONS
 
     The legality of the Notes offered hereby was passed upon for Ford Credit by
H.D. Smith, Esq., Secretary and Corporate Counsel of Ford Credit. Mr. Smith is a
full-time employe of Ford Credit and owns, and holds options to purchase, shares
of Common Stock of Ford.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The financial statements which are incorporated in this Prospectus by
reference to the 1994 10-K Report have been audited by Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
("Coopers & Lybrand"), 400 Renaissance Center, Detroit, Michigan 48243,
independent certified public accountants, to the
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   14
 
extent indicated in their report therein, and have been so incorporated in
reliance upon the report of that firm, given on their authority as experts in
accounting and auditing, which report includes an explanatory paragraph
indicating Ford Credit changed its methods of accounting for postretirement
healthcare benefits and income taxes in 1992.
 
   
     With respect to the unaudited interim financial information of Ford Credit
for the periods ended March 31, 1995 and 1994, June 30, 1995 and 1994 and
September 30, 1995 and 1994, included in the First Quarter 10-Q Report, the
Second Quarter 10-Q Report and the Third Quarter 10-Q Report, incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus, Coopers & Lybrand have reported that they have
applied limited procedures in accordance with professional standards for a
review of such information. However, their reports included in the First Quarter
10-Q Report, the Second Quarter 10-Q Report and the Third Quarter 10-Q Report
state that they did not audit and they do not express an opinion on that interim
financial information. The accountants are not subject to the liability
provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act for their reports on the
unaudited interim financial information because each such report is not a
"report" or a "part" of the registration statement prepared or certified by the
accountants within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of such Act.
    
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   15
 
                                    (FORD LOGO)
 
                           FORD MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT
 
   
J A N.
    
   
1 9 9 6
    
1531-R
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          PAGE
                                          ---
<S>                                       <C>
Available Information...................    2

Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference.............................    2

PLAN SUMMARY

  General...............................    3

  Interest Rate Information.............    3

  How to Invest.........................    4

  How to Redeem Investments.............    6

  Description of Notes..................    8

  Agent Bank and Administration.........   10

  Taxes.................................   10

  Termination, Suspension or
     Modification.......................   11

  Rights Not Transferable...............   11

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  Information Concerning Ford Credit....   12

  Use of Proceeds.......................   12

  Plan of Distribution..................   12

  Legal Opinions........................   12

  Experts...............................   12
</TABLE>
    
 
     NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR
MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE SECURITIES OFFERED
BY THIS PROSPECTUS OR AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SUCH
SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH
OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN SUCH JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE THEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE
ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF FORD CREDIT OR
FORD MOTOR COMPANY SINCE THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR THAT THE INFORMATION
HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SINCE ITS DATE.
<PAGE>   16
 
                PART II. INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
     The following table sets forth the estimated expenses in connection with
the offering described in this Registration Statement:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           <S>                                                           <C>
           Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee.......    $ 172,414
           Printing and engraving....................................       50,000
           Accountants' fees.........................................       10,000
           Blue Sky fees and expenses................................       20,000
           Fees and expenses of Trustee..............................       20,000
           Rating Agency fees........................................       80,000
           Miscellaneous expenses....................................       20,000
                                                                         ---------
                            Total....................................    $ 372,414
                                                                         =========
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
     Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware provides as follows:
 
     145. Indemnification of officers, directors, employes and agents; 
insurance --
 
          (a) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or
     is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending
     or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
     administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of
     the corporation) by reason of the fact that he is or was a director,
     officer, employe or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the
     request of the corporation as a director, officer, employe or agent of
     another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
     against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts
     paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection
     with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a
     manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests
     of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding,
     had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The
     termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order,
     settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its
     equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did
     not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in
     or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect
     to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that
     his conduct was unlawful.
 
          (b) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or
     is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending
     or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to
     procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a
     director, officer, employe or agent of the corporation, or is or was
     serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employe
     or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
     enterprise against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and
     reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of
     such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably
     believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation
     and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim,
     issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be
     liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of
     Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall
     determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but
     in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and
     reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of
     Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   17
 
          (c) To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of a
     corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of
     any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of
     this section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall
     be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and
     reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.
 
          (d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this section
     (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as
     authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification
     of the director, officer, employe or agent is proper in the circumstances
     because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in
     subsections (a) and (b) of this section. Such determination shall be made
     (1) by the board of directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of
     directors who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, or (2)
     if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable a quorum of
     disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a
     written opinion, or (3) by the stockholders.
 
          (e) Expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by an officer or
     director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
     action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the
     final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an
     undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such
     amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be
     indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this section. Such expenses
     (including attorneys' fees) incurred by other employees and agents may be
     so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the board of directors
     deems appropriate.
 
          (f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or
     granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall not be
     deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification
     or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any by-law, agreement,
     vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to
     action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while
     holding such office.
 
          (g) A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance
     on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employe or agent
     of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation
     as a director, officer, employe or agent of another corporation,
     partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability
     asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising
     out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the
     power to indemnify him against such liability under this section.
 
          (h) For purposes of this section, references to "the corporation"
     shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent
     corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a
     consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued,
     would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers,
     and employes or agents, so that any person who is or was a director,
     officer, employe or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was
     serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director,
     officer, employe or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
     venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under
     the provisions of this section with respect to the resulting or surviving
     corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation
     if its separate existence had continued.
 
          (i) For purposes of this section, references to "other enterprises"
     shall include employee benefit plans; references to "fines" shall include
     any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit
     plan; and references to "serving at the request of the corporation" shall
     include any service as a director, officer, employee, or agent of the
     corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such
     director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit
     plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   18
 
     who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the
     interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan
     shall be deemed to have acted in a manner "not opposed to the best
     interests of the corporation" as referred to in this section.
 
          (j) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or
     granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise provided when
     authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a
     director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the
     heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
 
     Section 5 of Article Ninth of the Certificate of Incorporation of Ford
Credit provides as follows:
 
                     LIMITATION ON LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS;
                         INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE.
 
     5.1. LIMITATION ON LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS. A director of the corporation
shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for
monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for
liability
 
          (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the
     corporation or its stockholders,
 
          (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve
     intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law,
 
          (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law or
 
          (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper
     personal benefit.
 
     If the Delaware General Corporation Law is amended after approval by the
stockholders of this subsection 5.1 of Article NINTH to authorize corporate
action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then
the liability of a director of the corporation shall be eliminated or limited to
the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as so
amended.
 
     5.2. EFFECT OF ANY REPEAL OR MODIFICATION OF SUBSECTION 5.1. Any repeal or
modification of subsection 5.1 of this Article NINTH by the stockholders of the
corporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of
the corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.
 
     5.3. INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE.
 
     5.3A. RIGHT TO INDEMNIFICATION. Each person who was or is made a party or
is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or otherwise
(hereinafter a "proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person
of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director, officer or
employee of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as a director, officer or employee of another corporation or of a
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with
respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of such proceeding is
alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer or employee or in
any other capacity while serving as a director, officer or employee, shall be
indemnified and held harmless by the corporation to the fullest extent
authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may
hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent
that such amendment permits the corporation to provide broader indemnification
rights than said law permitted the corporation to provide prior to such
amendment), against all expense, liability and loss (including penalties, fines,
judgments, attorneys' fees, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and excise
taxes imposed on fiduciaries with respect to (i) employee benefit plans, (ii)
charitable organizations or (iii) similar matters) reasonably incurred or
suffered by such person in connection therewith and such indemnification shall
continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer or employee and
shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators;
provided, however, that the corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking
indemnification in
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   19
 
connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person (other
than pursuant to subsection 5.3b of this Article NINTH) only if such proceeding
(or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the corporation.
The right to indemnification conferred in this subsection 5.3a of Article NINTH
shall be a contract right and shall include the right to be paid by the
corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of
its final disposition; provided, however, that, if the Delaware General
Corporation Law requires, the payment of such expenses incurred by a director or
officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other
capacity in which service was or is rendered by such person while a director or
officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) in
advance of the final disposition of a proceeding shall be made only upon
delivery to the corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such director
or officer, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be
determined that such director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified under
this subsection 5.3a of Article NINTH or otherwise.
 
     5.3B. RIGHT OF CLAIMANT TO BRING SUIT. If a claim which the corporation is
obligated to pay under subsection 5.3a of this Article NINTH is not paid in full
by the corporation within 60 days after a written claim has been received by the
corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the
corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in
whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of
prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an
action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any
proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking,
if any is required, has been tendered to the corporation) that the claimant has
not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the Delaware
General Corporation Law for the corporation to indemnify the claimant for the
amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the
corporation. Neither the failure of the corporation (including its Board of
Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a
determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of
the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the
applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Delaware General Corporation
Law, nor an actual determination by the corporation (including its Board of
Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the claimant has
not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or
create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of
conduct.
 
     5.3C. MISCELLANEOUS. The provisions of this Section 5.3 of Article NINTH
shall cover claims, actions, suits and proceedings, civil or criminal, whether
now pending or hereafter commenced, and shall be retroactive to cover acts or
omissions or alleged acts or omissions which heretofore have taken place. If any
part of this Section 5.3 of Article NINTH should be found to be invalid or
ineffective in any proceeding, the validity and effect of the remaining
provisions shall not be affected.
 
     5.3D. NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. The right to indemnification and the
payment of expenses incurred in defending a proceeding in advance of its final
disposition conferred in this Section 5.3 of Article NINTH shall not be
exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire
under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, by-law,
agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
 
     5.3E. INSURANCE. The corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to
protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation
or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise
against any such expense, liability or loss, whether or not the corporation
would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or
loss under the Delaware General Corporation Law.
 
     5.3F. INDEMNIFICATION OF AGENTS OF THE CORPORATION. The corporation may, to
the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors, grant rights
to indemnification, and rights to be paid by the corporation the expenses
incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition, to any
agent of the corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Section
5.3
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   20
 
of Article NINTH with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses
of directors, officers and employees of the corporation.
 
     Similar indemnification provisions in Section 5 of Article NINTH of the
Certificate of Incorporation of Ford are applicable to directors, officers and
employees of Ford Credit who serve as such at the request of Ford.
 
     Paragraph XXVI (formerly Paragraph XXIV) of Ford's Savings and Stock
Investment Plan provides as follows with respect to the members of the Savings
and Stock Investment Plan Committee:
 
          No member of the Committee or alternate for a member or director,
     officer or employe of any Participating Company shall be liable for any
     action or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan, except for
     his own bad faith; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be deemed
     to relieve any such person from responsibility or liability for any
     obligation or duty under ERISA. Each director, officer, or employe of the
     Company who is or shall have been designated to act on behalf of the
     Company and each person who is or shall have been a member of the Committee
     or an alternate for a member or a director, officer or employe of any
     Participating Company, as such, shall be indemnified and held harmless by
     the Company against and from any and all loss, cost, liability or expense
     that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him in connection with
     or resulting from any claim, action, suit or proceeding to which he may be
     a party or in which he may be involved by reason of any action taken or
     failure to act under the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid
     by him in settlement thereof (with the Company's written approval) or paid
     by him in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or
     proceeding, except a judgment in favor of the Company based upon a finding
     of his bad faith; subject, however, to the condition that, upon the
     assertion or institution of any such claim, action, suit or proceeding
     against him, he shall in writing give the Company an opportunity, at its
     own expense, to handle and defend the same before he undertakes to handle
     and defend it on his own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification
     shall not be exclusive of any other right to which such person may be
     entitled as a matter of law or otherwise, or any power that a Participating
     Company may have to indemnify him or hold him harmless.
 
     Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreements relating to its underwritten
offerings of securities, the underwriters have agreed to indemnify Ford Credit,
each officer and director of Ford Credit and each person, if any, who controls
Ford Credit within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under said Act. The Sales Agency Agreements
and the Purchase Agreements filed as Exhibits to, or incorporated by reference
in, Ford Credit's Registration Statements relating to its offerings of
medium-term notes, floating rate notes, capital notes, variable rate notes,
original issue discount notes and notes provide for similar indemnification by
the Agents named therein.
 
     Ford Credit is insured for liabilities it may incur pursuant to Article
NINTH of its Certificate of Incorporation relating to the indemnification of its
directors, officers and employes. In addition, directors, officers and certain
key employes are insured against certain losses which may arise out of their
employment and which are not recoverable under the indemnification provisions of
Ford Credit's Certificate of Incorporation. The premium for both insurance
coverages is paid by Ford.
 
     Pursuant to Paragraph X of the Ford Money Market Account Program (the
"Program") each member and alternate or a member of the Program Committee and
each officer and director of each Participating Company is indemnified against
all loss, cost, liability or expense reasonably incurred in connection with or
resulting from any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which such person is
involved or may be involved by reason of any action or failure to act under the
Program.
 
     Pursuant to Paragraph VIII of the Ford Money Market Account Plan (the
"Plan") each member and alternate member of the Plan Committee and each officer,
director and employe of Ford Credit
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>   21
 
is indemnified against all loss, cost, liability or expense reasonably incurred
in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit or proceeding in
which such person is involved or may be involved by reason of any action or
failure to act under the Plan.
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.
 
     Exhibit 4-A -- Form of Indenture dated as of July 1, 1985 between Ford
        Credit and The Bank of New York, Trustee, filed as Exhibit 4-A to
        Registration Statement No. 2-96762 and incorporated herein by reference.
 
     Exhibit 4-B -- Form of Note (included in Exhibit 4-A at pages 1 through 6).
 
     Exhibit 4-C -- Form of First Supplemental Indenture dated as of November
        15, 1987 between Ford Credit and The Bank of New York, Trustee, filed as
        Exhibit 4-C to Registration Statement No. 33-18496 and incorporated
        herein by reference.
 
     Exhibit 4-D -- Form of Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of October
        15, 1988 between Ford Credit and The Bank of New York, Trustee, filed as
        Exhibit 4-D to Registration Statement No. 33-24928 and incorporated
        herein by reference.
 
   
     Exhibit 4-E -- Form of Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 1,
        1996 between Ford Credit and The Bank of New York, Trustee.
    
 
   
     Exhibit 4-F -- Ford Money Market Account Plan.*
    
 
     Exhibit 5 -- Opinion of Hurley D. Smith, Secretary and Corporate Counsel of
        Ford Credit, as to the legality of the Notes registered hereunder.
 
     Exhibit 12-A -- Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges of Ford
        Credit.
 
     Exhibit 12-B -- Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges of Ford.
 
     Exhibit 15 -- Letter from Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. regarding unaudited
        interim financial information.
 
     Exhibit 23-A -- Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
 
     Exhibit 23-B -- Consent of Hurley D. Smith is contained in his opinion
        filed as Exhibit 5 to this Registration Statement.
 
     Exhibit 24 -- Powers of Attorney.
 
   
     Exhibit 25 -- Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of The Bank of New York,
        Trustee.*
    
- -------------------------
   
* Previously filed.
    
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
 
     (1) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
 
          (i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
     Securities Act of 1933.
 
          (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
     the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
     post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
     represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
     registration statement.
 
          (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
     distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
     material change to such information in the registration statement;
 
                                      II-6
<PAGE>   22
 
     Provided, however, that paragraphs 1(i) and (ii) do not apply if the
registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form S-8 and the information required
to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the
registration statement.
 
     (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
 
     (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
 
     (4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to section
13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is
incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
 
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of Ford
Credit pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15 above, or otherwise,
Ford Credit has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by Ford Credit or Ford of
expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of Ford
Credit in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted
by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
securities being registered, Ford Credit, or Ford, as the case may be, will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
                                      II-7
<PAGE>   23
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE REGISTRANT
CERTIFIES THAT IT HAS REASONABLE GROUNDS TO BELIEVE THAT IT MEETS ALL OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR FILING ON FORM S-3, THAT THE SECURITY RATING REQUIREMENT OF
TRANSACTION REQUIREMENT B.2. OF FORM S-3 WILL BE MET BY THE TIME OF THE
EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, AS AMENDED BY THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1
AND HAS DULY CAUSED THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE
SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY
OF DEARBORN, STATE OF MICHIGAN, ON THE 22ND DAY OF DECEMBER, 1995.
    
 
                                            FORD MOTOR CREDIT COMPANY
 
                                                   By    WILLIAM E. ODOM*
                                               
                                                  (WILLIAM E. ODOM, CHAIRMAN OF
                                                           THE BOARD
                                                          OF DIRECTORS)
 
   
     PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS AMENDMENT
NO. 1 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BELOW BY THE FOLLOWING
PERSONS IN THE CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATE INDICATED.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               SIGNATURE                               TITLE                       DATE
- ---------------------------------------   -------------------------------   -------------------
<S>                                       <C>                               <C>
                                             Chairman of the Board of
                                                   Directors and
                                                Director (principal
           WILLIAM E. ODOM*                     executive officer)
 ....................................
           (WILLIAM E. ODOM)
                                            Director and Executive Vice
                                           President--Finance (principal
          KENNETH J. COATES*                    financial officer)
 ....................................
          (KENNETH J. COATES)

                                               Controller (principal
          TERRENCE F. MARRS*                    accounting officer)
 ....................................
          (TERRENCE F. MARRS)

           JOHN G. CLISSOLD*                         Director
 ....................................
          (JOHN G. CLISSOLD)
                                                                                        December 22, 1995
           EDSEL B. FORD II*                         Director
 ....................................
          (EDSEL B. FORD II)

          DAVID N. MCCAMMON*                         Director
 ....................................
          (DAVID N. MCCAMMON)

           GREGORY C. SMITH*                         Director
 ....................................
          (GREGORY C. SMITH)

           ROBERT D. WARNER*                         Director
 ....................................
          (ROBERT D. WARNER)

           KENNETH WHIPPLE*                          Director
 ....................................
           (KENNETH WHIPPLE)

        * By /s/ R. P. CONRAD
      (R. P. CONRAD, ATTORNEY-IN-FACT)
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>   24
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO.                                           DESCRIPTION
- ------------           -------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>             <C>    <C>
Exhibit 4-A      --    Form of Indenture dated as of July 1, 1985 between Ford Credit and The
                       Bank of New York, Trustee, filed as Exhibit 4-A to Registration Statement
                       No. 2-96762 and incorporated herein by reference.
Exhibit 4-B      --    Form of Note (included in Exhibit 4-A at pages 1 through 6).
Exhibit 4-C      --    Form of First Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 15, 1987
                       between Ford Credit and The Bank of New York, Trustee, filed as Exhibit
                       4-C to Registration Statement No. 33-18496 and incorporated herein by
                       reference.
Exhibit 4-D      --    Form of Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 15, 1988
                       between Ford Credit and The Bank of New York, Trustee, filed as Exhibit
                       4-D to Registration Statement No. 33-24928 and incorporated herein by
                       reference.
Exhibit 4-E      --    Form of Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 1, 1996 between
                       Ford Credit and The Bank of New York, Trustee.
Exhibit 4-F      --    Ford Money Market Account Plan.*
Exhibit 5        --    Opinion of Hurley D. Smith, Secretary and Corporate Counsel of Ford
                       Credit, as to the legality of the Notes registered hereunder.
Exhibit 12-A     --    Calculation of Ratio Earnings to Fixed Charges of Ford Credit.
Exhibit 12-B     --    Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges of Ford.
Exhibit 15       --    Letter from Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. regarding unaudited interim
                       financial information.
Exhibit 23-A     --    Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
Exhibit 23-B     --    Consent of Hurley D. Smith is contained in his opinion filed as Exhibit 5
                       to this Registration Statement.
Exhibit 24       --    Powers of Attorney.
Exhibit 25       --    Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of The Bank of New York, Trustee.*
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
   
* Previously filed
    

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4-E
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           FORD MOTOR CREDIT COMPANY
                                      AND
 
                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
                                                           TRUSTEE
 
                            ------------------------
 
                          THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
   
                          DATED AS OF JANUARY 1, 1996
    
                           SUPPLEMENTAL TO INDENTURE
 
                   DATED AS OF JULY 1, 1985, AS SUPPLEMENTED
                   BY THE FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE DATED
                     AS OF NOVEMBER 15, 1987 AND THE SECOND
              SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE DATED AS OF OCTOBER 15, 1988
 
                            ------------------------
                VARIABLE DENOMINATION FLOATING RATE DEMAND NOTES
                            ------------------------
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
 
   
     THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of the First day of January, 1996,
between Ford Motor Credit Company, a corporation duly organized and existing
under the laws of the State of Delaware (hereinafter sometimes called the
"Company"), party of the first part, and The Bank of New York, a corporation
duly incorporated and existing under the laws of the State of New York
(hereinafter sometimes called the "Trustee"), as Trustee under the indenture of
the Company (the "Original Indenture"), dated as of July 1, 1985, as
supplemented by a first supplemental indenture (the "First Supplemental
Indenture") dated as of November 15, 1987, and a second supplemental indenture
(the "Second Supplemental Indenture") dated as of October 15, 1988, (the
Original Indenture, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture and the
Second Supplemental Indenture, being hereinafter called the "Indenture"), party
of the second part.
    
 
     WHEREAS, the Indenture provides for the issuance from time to time of the
Variable Denomination Floating Rate Demand Notes of the Company (hereinafter
called the "Notes") issuable for the purposes and subject to the limitations
contained in the Indenture;
 
     WHEREAS, Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $250,000,000 have been
previously authorized for issuance from time to time under the Original
Indenture and additional Notes have been previously authorized for issuance in
the aggregate principal amount of $250,000,000 under the First Supplemental
Indenture and $500,000,000 under the Second Supplemental Indenture;
 
     WHEREAS, pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 11.01 of the Indenture, the Company
desires to issue from time to time under the Indenture as supplemented hereby,
in addition to the Notes previously authorized for issuance by the Company,
Notes limited to the aggregate principal amount of Five Hundred Million Dollars
($500,000,000), the further terms and provisions of which are set forth in the
Indenture;
 
     WHEREAS, the text of the Notes and the Trustee's certificate of
authentication to be borne by the Notes are to be substantially in the forms set
forth in the Indenture; and
 
     WHEREAS, the Company represents that all acts and things necessary to make
the Notes, when executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the
Trustee as in the Indenture and this Third Supplemental Indenture provided, the
valid, binding and legal obligations of the Company and to constitute these
presents a valid indenture and agreement according to its terms, have been done
and performed, and the execution of this Third Supplemental Indenture and the
issue under the Indenture as further supplemented hereby of the Notes have in
all respects been duly authorized, and the Company, in the exercise of legal
right and power in it vested, is executing this Third Supplemental Indenture and
proposes to make, execute, issue and deliver the Notes;
 
     NOW, THEREFORE:
 
     In order to declare the terms and conditions upon which the Notes are
authenticated, issued and delivered, and in consideration of the premises, of
the purchase and acceptance of the Notes by the holders thereof and of the sum
of one dollar to it duly paid by the Trustee at the execution of these presents,
the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, the Company covenants and agrees
with the Trustee, for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective
holders from time to time of the Notes, as follows:
 
                                  ARTICLE ONE.
                                   THE NOTES.
 
     SECTION 1.01. The Notes to be issued from time to time under the Indenture
as supplemented hereby, not including the Notes previously authorized for
issuance by the Company in the Indenture, shall be limited to the aggregate
principal amount of Five Hundred Million Dollars ($500,000,000).
<PAGE>   3
 
                                  ARTICLE TWO.
                           MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
 
     SECTION 2.01. This Third Supplemental Indenture is executed by the Company
and the Trustee pursuant to the provisions of Section 11.01 (f) of the
Indenture, and the terms and conditions hereof shall be deemed to be part of the
Indenture for all purposes. The Indenture, as supplemented by this Third
Supplemental Indenture, is in all respects hereby adopted, ratified and
confirmed.
 
     SECTION 2.02. This Third Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any
number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original; but such
counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
 
     SECTION 2.03. The Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of
the recitals herein contained, which shall be taken as the statements of the
Company. The Trustee makes no representations and shall have no responsibility
as to the validity or sufficiency of this Third Supplemental Indenture or the
due authorization and execution hereof by the Company.
 
     SECTION 2.04. This Third Supplemental Indenture and each Note shall be
deemed to be a contract made under the laws of the State of New York, and for
all purposes shall be construed in accordance with the laws of such State.
 
   
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, FORD MOTOR CREDIT COMPANY, the party of the first part,
has caused this Third Supplemental Indenture to be duly signed and acknowledged
by its Chairman of the Board or its President or an Executive Vice President or
a Vice President or its Treasurer or its Secretary thereunto duly authorized,
and its corporate seal to be affixed hereunto, and the same to be attested by
its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary; and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee
under the Indenture, the party of the second part, has caused this Third
Supplemental Indenture to be duly signed and acknowledged by one of its Vice
Presidents or Assistant Vice Presidents thereunto duly authorized, and its
corporate seal to be affixed hereunto, and the same to be attested by one of its
Assistant Treasurers.
    
 
                                          FORD MOTOR CREDIT COMPANY
 
                                             By
 
Attest:
        Assistant Secretary
 
[CORPORATE SEAL]
 
                                          THE BANK OF NEW YORK
 
                                             By
 
Attest:
   
        Assistant Treasurer
    
 
[CORPORATE SEAL]
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   4
 
STATE OF MICHIGAN  )  
                   ) ss.:
COUNTY OF WAYNE    )
 
   
     On this       day of January, 1996, before me personally came Hurley D.
Smith, to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he
resides at 8205 Valleyview, Clarkston, Michigan; that he is Secretary of FORD
MOTOR CREDIT COMPANY, one of the corporations described in and which executed
the above instrument; that he knows the corporate seal of said corporation; that
the seal affixed to the said instrument is such corporate seal; that it was so
affixed by authority of the Board of Directors of said corporation, and that he
signed his name thereto by like authority.
    
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official
seal the day and year in this certificate first above written.
 
                                          [NOTARIAL SEAL]
                         
<PAGE>   5
 
STATE OF NEW YORK   )
                    )  ss.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK  )
 
   
     On this      day of January, 1996, before me personally came
                         , to me known, by me duly sworn, did depose and say
that he resides at                                    , that he is
                    of THE BANK OF NEW YORK, one of the corporations described
in and which executed the above instrument; that he knows the corporate seal of
said corporation; that the seal affixed to the said instrument is such corporate
seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the Board of Directors of said
corporation; and that he signed his name thereto by like authority.
    
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official
seal the day and year in this certificate first above written.
 
                                          [NOTARIAL SEAL]
                     

<PAGE>   1
                                                        EXHIBIT 5
   

    
                                                December 22, 1995

Ford Motor Credit Company
The American Road
Dearborn, MI  48121

Dear Sirs:

   
        This will refer to the Registration Statement No. 33-62973 on Form S-3 
and Amendment No. 1 thereto that is being filed by Ford Motor Credit 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 the proposed sale by the Company of $500,000,000 principal amount of
its Variable Denomination Floating Rate Demand Notes to be offered pursuant to
the Ford Money Market Account Plan (the "Notes").
    

        As Secretary and Corporate Counsel of the Company, I am familiar with
the Certificate of Incorporation and the By-laws of the Company and with its
affairs.  I also have examined, or caused to be examined, such other documents
and instruments and have made, or caused to be 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.  When (a) the registration requirements of the Securities Act and
such Blue Sky or securities laws as may be applicable shall have been complied
with, (b) the proposed Third Supplemental Indenture to be dated as of January
1, 1996, between the Company and The Bank of New York, Trustee, supplementing
the Indenture dated as of July 1, 1985 between the Company and the Trustee, as
supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 15, 1987
and the Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 15, 1988, pursuant to
which the Notes are to be issued, shall have been duly executed and delivered
and such Indenture as so supplemented shall have been qualified under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and (c) the Notes shall have been duly
executed, authenticated, issued and delivered against payment therefor, the
Notes will thereupon be legally issued and binding obligations of the Company.
    

        I hereby consent to the use of this opinion as Exhibit 5 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/ HURLEY SMITH 
                                        ------------------

<PAGE>   1



                                  Exhibit 12-A

                   FORD MOTOR CREDIT COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                        CALCULATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS
                                TO FIXED CHARGES
                          (dollar amounts in millions)

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 Nine Months                     For the Years Ended December 31        
                             --------------------  -----------------------------------------------------
                                1995       1994       1994       1993       1992       1991       1990  
                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                          <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Fixed Charges
 Interest expense            $ 3,655.5  $ 2,522.0  $ 3,557.8  $ 2,943.5  $ 3,108.3  $ 3,840.6  $ 4,307.4
 Rents                            11.3        9.9       14.1       11.0       10.8        8.9        7.5
                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
  Total fixed
   charges                     3,666.8    2,531.9    3,571.9    2,954.5    3,119.1    3,849.5    4,314.9

Earnings
 Income before income
  taxes and cumulative
  effects of changes in
  accounting principles        1,448.5    1,510.2    1,999.1    1,875.0    1,323.2    1,075.1      763.2

 Less equity in net income
  of affiliated companies        174.7      166.2      232.5      198.3      155.2      191.0      145.0


 Less minority interest
  in net income of
  subsidiaries                    10.5        8.1       10.7        7.9        6.1        2.3          0
                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 Earnings before fixed
  charges                    $ 4,930.1  $ 3,867.8  $ 5,327.8  $ 4,623.3  $ 4,281.0  $ 4,731.3  $ 4,933.1
                             =========  =========  =========  =========  =========  =========  =========
 Ratio of earnings to
  fixed charges                   1.34       1.53       1.49       1.56       1.37       1.23       1.14
                             =========  =========  =========  =========  =========  =========  =========

<FN>
For purposes of the Ford Credit ratio, earnings consist of income before taxes and cumulative effects of
changes in accounting principles and fixed charges.  Income before income taxes and cumulative effects of
changes in accounting principles of Ford Credit includes the equity in net income of all unconsolidated
affiliates and minority interest in net income of subsidiaries.  Fixed charges consist of interest on
borrowed funds, amortization of debt discount, premium, and issuance expense, and one-third of all rental
expense (the proportion deemed representative of the interest factor).
</TABLE>
    



<PAGE>   1
                                  Exhibit 12-B


                      Ford Motor Company and Subsidiaries

 CALCULATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK
                                   DIVIDENDS

                                 (in millions)
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Nine
                                                    Months                  For the Years Ended December 31                
                                                               ------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    1995        1994        1993           1992          1991        1990  
                                                  --------     --------     --------      --------     --------     -------
<S>                                               <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Earnings                                         
- --------                                         
  Income/(loss) before income taxes
   and cumulative effects of changes
   in accounting principles                       $ 5,825     $ 8,789      $ 4,003      $  (127)     $(2,587)     $ 1,495
  Equity in net loss/(income) of
   affiliates plus dividends from
   affiliates                                         176        (182)         (98)          26           69          171
  Adjusted fixed charges a/                         7,727       8,122        7,648        8,113        9,360        9,690  
                                                  -------     -------      -------      -------      -------      -------
    Earnings                                      $13,728     $16,729      $11,553      $ 8,012      $ 6,842      $11,356
                                                  =======     =======      =======      =======      =======      =======    

Combined Fixed Charges and
 Preferred Stock Dividends
- --------------------------
  Interest expense b/                             $ 7,486      $ 7,787      $ 7,351       $ 7,987      $ 9,326     $ 9,647
  Interest portion of rental expense c/               199          265          266           185          124         105
  Preferred stock dividend requirements
   of majority-owned subsidiaries d/                  151          160          115            77           56          83
                                                  -------      -------      -------       -------      -------     -------
    Fixed charges                                   7,836        8,212        7,732         8,249        9,506       9,835

Ford preferred stock dividend
 requirements e/                                      311          472          442           317           26           0
                                                  -------      -------      -------       -------      -------     -------

  Total combined fixed charges
   and preferred stock dividends                  $ 8,147      $ 8,684      $ 8,174       $ 8,566      $ 9,532     $ 9,835
                                                  =======      =======      =======       =======      =======     =======
Ratios
- ------
  Ratio of earnings to fixed charges                  1.8          2.0          1.5           f/           g/          1.2

  Ratio of earnings to combined fixed
   charges and preferred stock dividends              1.7          1.9          1.4           h/           i/          1.2
</TABLE>
    


a/ Fixed charges, as shown below, adjusted to exclude the amount of
   interest capitalized during the period and preferred stock dividend
   requirements of majority-owned subsidiaries.
b/ Includes interest, whether expensed or capitalized, and amortization
   of debt expense and discount or premium relating to any indebtedness.
c/ One-third of all rental expense is deemed to be interest.
d/ Preferred stock dividend requirements of Ford Holdings, Inc.,
   increased to an amount representing the pre-tax earnings which
   would be required to cover such dividend requirements based on
   Ford's effective income tax rates for all periods except 1992.
   The U.S. statutory rate of 34% was used for 1992.
e/ Preferred stock dividend requirements of Ford Motor Company,
   increased to an amount representing the pre-tax earnings
   which would be required to cover such dividend requirements
   based on Ford's effective income tax rates for all periods
   except 1992.  The U.S. statutory rate of 34% was used for 1992.
f/ Earnings inadequate to cover fixed charges by $237 million.
g/ Earnings inadequate to cover fixed charges by $2,664 million.
h/ Earnings inadequate to cover combined fixed charges and preferred
   stock dividends by $554 million.
i/ Earnings inadequate to cover combined fixed charges and preferred
   stock dividends by $2,690 million.



<PAGE>   1

                                                                Exhibit 15


Ford Motor Credit Company
The American Road
Dearborn, Michigan

   
We are aware that our reports dated April 19, 1995, July 19, 1995 and October
17, 1995 accompanying the unaudited interim financial information of Ford
Motor Credit Company and Subsidiaries for the periods ended March, 31, 1995
and 1994, June 30, 1995 and 1994, and September 30, 1995 and 1994, included in 
the Ford Motor Credit Company Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters
ended March 31, 1995, June 30, 1995 and September 30, 1995 will be incorporated
by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3.  Pursuant to Rule 
436(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, these reports should not be considered
a part of the Registration Statement prepared or certified by us within the 
meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.
    

/s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.

   
Detroit, Michigan
December 22, 1995
    


<PAGE>   1

                                                             EXHIBIT 23-A


                     CONSENT OF COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Ford Motor Credit Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated January 27, 1995 on our
audits of the consolidated financial statements of Ford Motor Credit Company 
and Subsidiaries at December 31, 1994 and 1993 and for each of the three years
in the period ended December 31, 1994, which report contains an explanatory 
paragraph indicating Ford Credit changed its methods of accounting for 
postretirement health care benefits and income taxes in 1992 and is included 
in the Ford Motor Credit Company Annual Report on Form 10-K.  We also consent 
to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the Registration 
Statement.

/s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.

   
Detroit, Michigan
December 22, 1995
    


<PAGE>   1
   
                                                                EXHIBIT 24


                          FORD MOTOR CREDIT COMPANY

                           Certificate of Secretary


        The undersigned, Hurley D. Smith, Secretary of FORD MOTOR CREDIT
COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that the
resolutions attached as Exhibit 1 to this Certificate were duly adopted by the
Board of Directors of the Company on March 7, 1985, at a meeting duly called
and held at which a quorum was present and acted throughout, and such
resolutions have not been amended, modified, rescinded or revoked and are in
full force and effect on the date hereof.

        WITNESS my hand and the seal of the Company this 22nd day of December,
1995.


                                           Hurley D. Smith
                                           ---------------------------
                                           Hurley D. Smith 
                                           Secretary


(Corporate Seal)

LEGB13/14.2

    



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