FORD MOTOR CREDIT CO
8-K, 1998-04-17
PERSONAL CREDIT INSTITUTIONS
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<PAGE>   1
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                            Washington, D.C.  20549




                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT


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


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) April 16, 1998
                                                 --------------------

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

          Delaware                  1-6368              38-1612444      
- -----------------------     -----------------------  -------------------
(State or other juris-      (Commission File Number   (IRS Employer
 diction of incorporation          Number)           Identification No.)

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


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

<PAGE>   2
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.


     The news release dated April 16, 1998 of Ford Motor Credit Company and
subsidiaries for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to
this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.

     The news release dated April 16, 1998 of Ford Motor Company and 
subsidiaries for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 is filed as Exhibit 99.2 to 
this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.


ITEM 7.  Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.

                                    EXHIBITS

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

Exhibit 99.1       News release dated April 16,    Filed with this Report.
                   1998 of Ford Motor Credit
                   Company and Subsidiaries for
                   the quarter ended March 31,
                   1998 with attachments.

Exhibit 99.2       News release dated April 16,    Filed with this Report.
                   1998 of Ford Motor Company and
                   Subsidiaries for the quarter
                   ended March 31, 1998
                   with attachments.

                                   SIGNATURE

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


                                        FORD MOTOR CREDIT COMPANY 
                                               (Registrant)


Date:  April 16, 1998                     By:/s/R. P. Conrad
                                             ------------------
                                                R. P. Conrad
                                                Assistant Secretary

<PAGE>   3


                                 EXHIBIT INDEX

Designation              Description               
- -----------              -----------

Exhibit 99.1       News release dated April 16,
                   1998 of Ford Motor Credit   
                   Company and Subsidiaries for          
                   the quarter ended March 31,
                   1998 with attachments.

Exhibit 99.2       News release dated April 16,
                   1998 of Ford Motor Company and
                   Subsidiaries for the quarter
                   ended March 31, 1998 with
                   attachments.



<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1

                           [FORD CREDIT LETTERHEAD]

Contact:     Della DiPietro or Kristen Kinley
             (313) 594-1096



IMMEDIATE RELEASE



FORD CREDIT REPORTS FIRST-QUARTER 1998 EARNINGS



DEARBORN, Mich., April. 16, 1998 -- Ford Motor Credit Company earned
$278 million in the first quarter this year, Chairman Ken Whipple and President
Edsel B. Ford II announced today. Earnings were two million dollars higher than
1997 first-quarter net income of $276 million.


Compared with the first quarter of 1997, the earnings reflected improved
portfolio yields, lower borrowing costs and higher financing volumes, offset by
higher depreciation expense on leased vehicles. Higher depreciation expense on
leased vehicles is expected to adversely affect Ford Credit's earnings for the
remainder of 1998.

Ford Credit's net finance receivables and net investment in operating leases
increased to $117.6 billion at March 31, compared with $111.1 billion a year
earlier.


<PAGE>   2
                                    - 2 -



Consolidated financial statements exclude certain vehicle finance subsidiaries
of Ford Motor Company that are managed by Ford Credit. Ford Credit's worldwide
managed operations earned $283 million for the first quarter of 1998. Worldwide
managed net receivables and net investment in operating leases were $134.1
billion at March 31, 1998. Included in these managed receivables are certain
finance receivables Ford Credit has sold and continues to service.


As the world's largest automotive finance company, Ford Credit provides vehicle
financing for more than 11,000 automotive dealers and more than 8 million retail
customers in 35 countries.

                                      # # #



4/16/98



<PAGE>   3
             Ford Motor Credit Company and Consoldated Subsidiaries
                              OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                              First Quarter
                                                                  ------------------------------------  
                                                                         1998                1997
                                                                  ---------------    -----------------
<S>                                                              <C>                 <C>
INCOME (in Millions)
     Income Before Income Taxes                                   $      489.2       $      473.8
     Net Income                                                          277.8              275.9
     Memo:  Depreciation Expense                                       1,682.0            1,445.5

MARKET SHARE
     Ford Retail           United States                                  38.3%              38.9%
                           Europe                                         26.3               24.6
     Ford Wholesale        United States                                  79.5%              77.4%
                           Europe                                         94.9               94.0

CONTRACT VOLUME - New and Used Retail/Lease (in Thousands)
     United States                                                         627                637
     Europe                                                                192                166
     Other International                                                    99                 88
                                                                           ---                ---
         Total Contract Volume                                             918                891
                                                                           ===                ===

ASSETS (in Millions)
     Net Finance Receivables                                      $   82,335.8       $   78,436.6
     Net Investment in Operating Leases                               35,299.1           32,660.5
                                                                      --------           --------
         Total Net Finance Receivables                            $  117,634.9       $  111,097.1
     Other Assets                                                      6,897.6            8,724.8
                                                                       -------            -------
         Total Assets                                             $  124,532.5       $  119,821.9
                                                                     =========          =========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (in Millions)
     Liabilities
         Debt - Short Term                                        $   58,913.1       $   53,634.8
         Debt - Long Term                                             45,367.2           44,320.3
                                                                      --------           --------
              Total Debt                                          $  104,280.3       $   97,955.1
         Other Liabilities                                             9,878.0           11,921.6
                                                                      --------           --------
              Total Liabilities                                   $  114,158.3       $  109,876.7

     Minority Interests in Net Assets of Subsidiaries                    497.8              336.2
     Preferred Equity in Subsidiary Company                               -                 286.5
     Stockholder's Equity                                              9,876.4            9,322.5
                                                                      --------            -------
         Total Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity               $  124,532.5       $  119,821.9
                                                                     =========          =========
<CAPTION>

Memo:
     SELECTED WORLDWIDE RESULTS FOR MANAGED OPERATIONS *                    First Quarter
                                                                  --------------------------------
                                                                     1998                1997
                                                                  -------------     --------------    
<S>                                                               <C>               <C>
INCOME (in Millions)
     Income Before Income Taxes                                   $        494       $         468
     Net Income                                                            283                 279
CONTRACT VOLUME - New and Used Retail/Lease (in Thousands)                 969                 939
MANAGED NET FINANCE RECEIVABLES AND
NET INVESTMENT IN OPERATING LEASES (in Millions)  *               $    134,062       $     124,901
</TABLE>

- ---------
* Managed Receivables include certain finance receivables 
  Ford Credit has sold and continues to service.


<PAGE>   1
                                                                 EXHIBIT 99.2

[FORD LETTERHEAD]




Contact:  Media Inquiries      Institutional Investors     Shareholder Inquiries
          Jim Cain             Mike Holland                (800) 555-5259 or
          (313) 322-3428       (313) 323-8221              (313) 845-8540

FOR RELEASE APRIL 16, 7:30 A.M. EDT

IMPROVING AUTOMOTIVE OPERATIONS DRIVE FORD TO RECORD FIRST QUARTER EARNINGS 
OF $1.7 BILLION, UP 15%

DEARBORN, Mich., April 16, 1998 -- Continued improvement in automotive results
raised Ford Motor Company's [NYSE: F] operating earnings for the first quarter
to $1.7 billion, or $1.36 per diluted share of common and Class B stock. The
1998 results compare with earnings of $1.5 billion, or $1.20 a diluted share in
the first quarter of 1997, and exceed the previous first quarter record of $1.6
billion set in 1989.

The operating results shown above exclude a one-time gain of $16 billion, or
$12.94 per diluted share, resulting from the spin-off of Associates First
Capital [NYSE: AFS], and a one-time earnings per share reduction of $.07 per
share resulting from the premium paid to repurchase Ford's Series B preferred
stock. Including both one-time factors, Ford's reported first quarter earnings
were $17.6 billion, or $14.23 per diluted share.

Ford has increased its year-over-year earnings for eight consecutive quarters
and posted five straight quarters in which total automotive costs have declined
(at constant volume and mix) compared with the year-earlier period. In the first
quarter, Ford's total automotive costs declined by $400 million year-over-year
(at constant volume and mix).

AUTOMOTIVE OPERATIONS
Ford's first-quarter net income from worldwide automotive operations was $1.235
billion, up $231 million from a year ago, or 23 percent. Vehicle unit sales of
cars and trucks were 1,721,000, up 40,000 units or two percent. Automotive
return on sales in the first quarter improved nine-tenths of a point to 4.3
percent worldwide. Total automotive cash was $21.3 billion at the end of the
quarter and net cash was $13.1 billion, both records.

<PAGE>   2


                                      -2-

"Ford's automotive results continue to improve because of an intense focus on
the business fundamentals. We continue to strengthen our product line, quality
is better, costs are down and major processes are being re-engineered," said
Chairman and CEO Alex Trotman.

NORTH AMERICA: In North America, automotive operations earned $1.0 billion,
essentially flat with a year ago. North American automotive return on sales was
5.0 percent. This solid level of profitability reflects strong acceptance of new
products and continuing progress on cost and quality performance. During the
quarter, Ford accelerated production of the new F-Series Super Duty truck line.

"The underpinnings of the economic expansion in North America remain intact,
which is good news for the auto industry. In the U.S., industry volume in the
first quarter was 15.3 million units. We continue to project full-year industry
volumes to be between 15 million and 15.5 million units," Trotman said.

EUROPE: In Europe, which continues to be an intensely competitive market, Ford
earned $230 million, up from $105 million a year ago.

"Europe continues to be extremely challenging," Trotman said. "Industry volumes
are strong, but intense price competition has not abated. We will continue to
focus on improving quality and reducing our total costs in Europe to achieve our
1998 profit target."

SOUTH AMERICA: Ford lost $45 million in South America, compared with a loss of
$47 million a year ago.

"The successful launches of the Ka, Fiesta, Ranger, F-Series and Courier have
reestablished Ford as a major presence in South America, but economic conditions
in Brazil have reduced industry volumes," Trotman said. "Our goal remains to
breakeven in South America this year, but it will be hard to achieve."

<PAGE>   3
                                    - 3 -


FINANCIAL SERVICES
Financial Services earnings in the first quarter, excluding The Associates'
earnings and the one-time gain resulting from the spin-off, were $279 million,
compared with $273 million a year ago on a comparable basis.

Ford Credit earned $278 million in the first quarter, an improvement of $2
million versus last year's first quarter. Compared with the first quarter of
1997, earnings reflected improved portfolio yields, lower borrowing costs and
higher financing volumes, offset by higher depreciation expense on leased
vehicles.

"Loan volumes, operating costs and interest margins are at good levels. However,
depreciation expense for leased vehicles continues to be a drag on profits. As a
result, based on the present outlook, our goal of 10 percent or greater earnings
growth for Ford Credit in 1998 will be very difficult to achieve," Trotman said.

The Hertz Corporation [NYSE: HRZ] reported record first-quarter earnings of $35
million, versus $20 million earned in the same period a year ago. Ford's share
of Hertz' first quarter 1998 earnings was $29 million.

The Associates reported record earnings of $281 million for the first quarter,
compared with $238 million a year ago. Ford's share of The Associates earnings
was $177 million, reflecting Ford's 80.7 percent ownership stake through March
12, the record date for the spin-off. Going forward, Ford's results no longer
will include earnings of The Associates.

                                      # # #


<PAGE>   4
                                     - 4 -



                SUMMARY OF FIRST QUARTER 1998 COMPARED WITH 1997

OVERVIEW
    - Total company operating earnings were a record $1.691 billion, compared
      with $1.469 billion. 
    - Diluted operating earnings per share were $1.36, compared with $1.20. 
    - Worldwide sales and revenues were $36.6 billion, compared with $37.3 
      billion. 
    - Stockholders' equity was $21.5 billion, compared with $27.3 billion.

AUTOMOTIVE
    - Net income from worldwide automotive operations was $1.235 billion,
      compared with $1 billion in the first quarter of 1997.
    - North American automotive operations earned $1.01 billion, compared with
      $1.02 billion. 
    - Outside North America, automotive operations earned $225 million, 
      compared with a loss of $16 million.
    - Worldwide vehicle unit sales were 1,721,000 compared with 1,681,000.
    - Combined car and truck share in the U.S. was 24.5 percent, compared with
      25.1 percent. 
    - Combined car and truck share in Europe was 11.5 percent, compared with 
      11.5 percent.

FINANCIAL SERVICES
    - Financial Services earnings were $456 million, excluding the one-time gain
      of $15.955 billion related to the spin-off of The Associates, compared 
      with $465 million.
    - Ford Credit earned $278 million, compared with $276 million.
    - The Associates reported a record $281 million, compared with $238 million 
      a year ago.  Ford's share was $177 million through March 12.
    - Hertz earned a record $35 million, compared to $20 million.  Ford's share 
      was $29 million.

AUTOMOTIVE BALANCE SHEET
    - Net cash was a record $13.1 billion, compared with $7.8 billion.
    - Cash and marketable securities was a record $21.3 billion, compared with
      $16 billion. 
    - Debt was $8.2 billion, compared with $8.2 billion. 
    - Capital spending was $2.1 billion, compared with $1.6 billion.


                                      # # #

<PAGE>   5
                       Ford Motor Company and Subsidiaries

                                   HIGHLIGHTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                  First Quarter
                                                                           ----------------------------
                                                                               1998            1997
                                                                           ------------    ------------
                                                                                   (unaudited)
<S>                                                                         <C>               <C>
Worldwide vehicle unit sales of cars and trucks
 (in thousands)
- - North America                                                                  1,059           1,066
- - Outside North America                                                            662             615
                                                                                 -----           -----
    Total                                                                        1,721           1,681
                                                                                 =====           =====

Sales and revenues (in millions)
- - Automotive                                                                 $  29,076       $  30,037
- - Financial Services                                                             7,508           7,277
                                                                             ---------       ---------
    Total                                                                    $  36,584       $  37,314
                                                                             =========       =========

Net income (in millions)
- - Automotive                                                                 $   1,235       $   1,004
- - Financial Services (including income of
  The Associates through March 12, 1998)                                           456             465
                                                                             ---------       ---------
    Subtotal                                                                     1,691           1,469
- - Gain on spin-off of The Associates                                            15,955               -
                                                                             ---------       ---------
    Total                                                                    $  17,646       $   1,469
                                                                             =========       =========

Capital expenditures (in millions)
- - Automotive                                                                 $   2,101       $   1,613
- - Financial Services                                                                98             126
                                                                             ---------       ---------
    Total                                                                    $   2,199       $   1,739
                                                                             =========       =========

Automotive capital expenditures as a percentage
 of sales                                                                          7.2%            5.4%

Stockholders' equity at March 31
- - Total (in millions)                                                        $  21,497       $  27,252
- - After-tax return on Common and Class B
  stockholders' equity                                                            24.8%           22.1%

Automotive net cash at March 31
 (in millions)
- - Cash and marketable securities                                             $  21,277       $  15,967
- - Debt                                                                           8,178           8,202
                                                                             ---------       ---------
    Automotive net cash                                                      $  13,099       $   7,765
                                                                             =========       =========

After-tax return on sales
- - North American Automotive                                                        5.0%            4.9%
- - Total Automotive                                                                 4.3%            3.4%

Shares of Common and Class B Stock (in millions)
- - Average number outstanding                                                     1,210           1,190
- - Number outstanding at March 31                                                 1,213           1,191

Common Stock price (per share)
 (adjusted to reflect The Associates spin-off)
- - High                                                                       $43-7/8         $23-3/8
- - Low                                                                         28-15/32        20-35/64

AMOUNTS PER SHARE OF COMMON AND CLASS B STOCK
 AFTER PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

Income assuming dilution
- - Automotive                                                                 $    0.99       $    0.82
- - Financial Services (including income of
  The Associates through March 12, 1998)                                          0.37            0.38
                                                                             ---------       ---------
    Subtotal                                                                      1.36            1.20
- - Premium on Series B Preferred Stock repurchase                                 (0.07)              -
- - Gain on spin-off of The Associates                                             12.94               -
                                                                             ---------       ---------
    Total                                                                    $   14.23       $    1.20
                                                                             =========       =========

Cash dividends                                                               $    0.42       $   0.385
</TABLE>



                                     FS-1
<PAGE>   6


                     Ford Motor Company and Subsidiaries

                              VEHICLE UNIT SALES

                For the Periods Ended March 31, 1998 and 1997
                                (in thousands)
                                      

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              First Quarter
                                                                          ---------------------
                                                                            1998         1997
                                                                          ---------    --------
                                                                              (unaudited)
S>                                                                        <C>            <C>
NORTH AMERICA
United States
 Cars                                                                         391          367
 Trucks                                                                       564          612
                                                                            -----        -----
  Total United States                                                         955          979

Canada                                                                         76           69
Mexico                                                                         28           18
                                                                            -----        -----

  Total North America                                                       1,059        1,066

EUROPE
Britain                                                                       142           98
Germany                                                                       106          115
Italy                                                                          70           64
France                                                                         39           36
Spain                                                                          37           46
Other countries                                                               100           97
                                                                            -----        -----

  Total Europe                                                                494          456

OTHER INTERNATIONAL
Brazil                                                                         42           41*
Argentina                                                                      30           29*
Australia                                                                      30           30
Taiwan                                                                         29           25
Japan                                                                           8           10
Other countries                                                                29           24
                                                                            -----        -----

  Total other international                                                   168          159
                                                                            -----        -----

TOTAL WORLDWIDE VEHICLE UNIT SALES                                          1,721        1,681
                                                                            =====        =====
</TABLE>






Vehicle unit sales generally are reported worldwide on a "where sold" basis and
include sales of all Ford-badged  units, as well as units manufactured by Ford
and sold to other manufacturers 

          *Adjusted to reflect change in reporting practice


                                     FS-2

<PAGE>   7


                     Ford Motor Company and Subsidiaries
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                For the Periods Ended March 31, 1998 and 1997
                                (in millions)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             First Quarter
                                                                                        -------------------------
                                                                                           1998          1997
                                                                                        -----------    ----------
                                                                                              (unaudited)
 <S>                                                                                   <C>            <C>
     AUTOMOTIVE
     SALES                                                                              $29,076        $30,037

     COSTS AND EXPENSES (Note 2)
     Costs of sales                                                                      25,584         26,795
     Selling, administrative and other expenses                                           1,686          1,538
                                                                                        --------       -------
       Total costs and expenses                                                          27,270         28,333

     OPERATING INCOME                                                                     1,806          1,704

     Interest income                                                                        322            249
     Interest expense                                                                       199            194
                                                                                        --------       -------
       Net interest income                                                                  123             55
     Equity in net loss of affiliated companies                                             (10)          (144)
     Net expense from transactions with
      Financial Services                                                                    (48)           (19)
                                                                                        -------        -------

     Income before income taxes - Automotive                                              1,871          1,596

     FINANCIAL SERVICES
     REVENUES                                                                             7,508          7,277

     COSTS AND EXPENSES
     Interest expense                                                                     2,370          2,356
     Depreciation                                                                         2,037          1,765
     Operating and other expenses                                                         1,583          1,500
     Provision for credit and insurance losses                                              708            845
                                                                                        -------        -------
       Total costs and expenses                                                           6,698          6,466
     Net revenue from transactions with Automotive                                           48             19
     Gain on spin-off of The Associates (Note 3)                                         15,955              -
                                                                                        -------        -------

     INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES - FINANCIAL SERVICES                                     16,813            830
                                                                                        -------        -------

     TOTAL COMPANY
     INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                                                          18,684          2,426
     Provision for income taxes                                                             972            898
                                                                                        -------        -------
     INCOME BEFORE MINORITY INTERESTS                                                    17,712          1,528
     Minority interests in net income of subsidiaries                                        66             59
                                                                                        -------        -------
     NET INCOME                                                                         $17,646        $ 1,469
                                                                                        =======        =======

     Income attributable to Common and Class B Stock
      after preferred stock dividends                                                   $17,551        $ 1,455

     Average number of shares of Common and Class B
      Stock outstanding                                                                   1,210          1,190

     AMOUNTS PER SHARE OF COMMON AND CLASS B STOCK

     BASIC INCOME (Note 4)                                                              $ 14.48        $  1.23

     DILUTED INCOME (Note 4)                                                            $ 14.23        $  1.20

     CASH DIVIDENDS                                                                     $  0.42        $ 0.385
</TABLE>


         The accompanying notes are part of the financial statements.


                                     FS-3
<PAGE>   8

                                      
                     Ford Motor Company and Subsidiaries
                                      
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                                (in millions)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                            March 31,       December 31,
                                                                                              1998              1997
                                                                                         ----------------   --------------
                                                                                           (unaudited)
<S>                                                                                       <C>                 <C>
ASSETS
AUTOMOTIVE
Cash and cash equivalents                                                                 $  6,804           $  6,316
Marketable securities                                                                       14,473             14,519
                                                                                          --------           --------
   Total cash and marketable securities                                                     21,277             20,835

Receivables                                                                                  2,993              3,097
Inventories (Note 5)                                                                         6,340              5,468
Deferred income taxes                                                                        3,174              3,249
Other current assets                                                                         3,703              3,782
Net current receivable from Financial Services                                                   0                416
                                                                                          --------           --------
   Total current assets                                                                     37,487             36,847

Equity in net assets of affiliated companies                                                 1,874              1,951
Net property                                                                                35,438             34,594
Deferred income taxes                                                                        3,643              3,712
Other assets                                                                                 7,062              7,975
                                                                                          --------           --------
   Total Automotive assets                                                                  85,504             85,079

FINANCIAL SERVICES
Cash and cash equivalents                                                                    1,424              1,618
Investments in securities                                                                    1,117              2,207
Net receivables and lease investments                                                      124,062            176,416
Other assets                                                                                11,128             13,777
Net receivable from Automotive                                                                   3                  0
                                                                                          --------           --------
   Total Financial Services assets                                                         137,734            194,018
                                                                                          --------           --------

   TOTAL ASSETS                                                                           $223,238           $279,097
                                                                                          ========           ========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
AUTOMOTIVE
Trade payables                                                                            $ 11,850           $ 11,997
Other payables (Note 3)                                                                      5,428              2,557
Accrued liabilities                                                                         17,539             16,250
Income taxes payable                                                                         1,366              1,358
Debt payable within one year                                                                   801              1,129
Net current payable to Financial Services                                                        3                  0
                                                                                          --------           --------
   Total current liabilities                                                                36,987             33,291

Long-term debt                                                                               7,377              7,047
Other liabilities                                                                           28,663             28,899
Deferred income taxes                                                                        1,203              1,210
                                                                                          --------           --------
   Total Automotive liabilities                                                             74,230             70,447

FINANCIAL SERVICES
Payables                                                                                     3,975              4,539
Debt                                                                                       113,375            160,071
Deferred income taxes                                                                        4,430              4,347
Other liabilities and deferred income                                                        5,053              7,865
Net payable to Automotive                                                                        0                416
                                                                                          --------           --------
   Total Financial Services liabilities                                                    126,833            177,238

Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred securities of a subsidiary
 trust holding solely junior subordinated debentures of the Company (Note 6)                   678                678

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Capital stock
 Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share (aggregate liquidation preference
  of $177 million and $637 million)                                                              *                  *
 Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share (1,144 and 1,132 million shares issued)             1,144              1,132
 Class B Stock, par value $1.00 per share (71 million shares issued)                            71                 71
Capital in excess of par value of stock                                                      5,225              5,564
Accumulated other comprehensive income                                                      (1,416)            (1,228)
ESOP loan and other                                                                           (346)               (39)
Earnings retained for use in business                                                       16,819             25,234
                                                                                          --------           --------
   Total stockholders' equity                                                               21,497             30,734
                                                                                          --------           --------

   TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                             $223,238           $279,097
                                                                                          ========           ========

</TABLE>


The accompanying notes are part of the financial statements.

- - - - -
*Less than $1 million

                                     FS-4
<PAGE>   9


                     Ford Motor Company and Subsidiaries

                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

                For the Periods Ended March 31, 1998 and 1997
                                (in millions)
                                      
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          First Quarter 1998             First Quarter 1997
                                                                      ----------------------------   ---------------------------
                                                                                       Financial                     Financial
                                                                       Automotive      Services       Automotive      Services
                                                                      -------------   ------------   -------------   -----------
                                                                              (unaudited)                   (unaudited)

<S>                                                                   <C>            <C>              <C>             <C>
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT JANUARY 1                                 $ 6,316        $  1,618        $ 3,578         $ 3,689

Cash flows from operating activities before securities trading           3,138           4,463          3,161           2,342
Net sales/(purchases) of trading securities                                108            (113)          (832)             37
                                                                       -------        --------        -------         -------
   Net cash flows from operating activities                              3,246           4,350          2,329           2,379

Cash flows from investing activities
 Capital expenditures                                                   (2,101)            (98)        (1,613)           (126)
 Purchase of leased assets                                                (110)              -              -               -
 Acquisitions of receivables and lease investments                           -         (27,772)             -         (26,481)
 Collections of receivables and lease investments                            -          19,289              -          21,192
 Net acquisitions of daily rental vehicles                                   -            (611)             -            (528)
 Purchases of securities                                                  (123)           (569)             0          (1,054)
 Sales and maturities of securities                                         62             491              0             793
 Proceeds from sales of receivables and lease investments                    -           2,368              -             807
 Net investing activity with Financial Services                            403               -            364               -
 Other                                                                     269            (661)            78             151
                                                                       -------        --------        -------         -------
   Net cash used in investing activities                                (1,600)         (7,563)        (1,171)         (5,246)

Cash flows from financing activities
 Cash dividends                                                           (519)             (1)          (472)             (7)
 Issuance of Common Stock                                                   93               -             23               -
 Preferred stock - Series B repurchase, Series A redemption               (420)              -              -               -
 Changes in short-term debt                                                 76           1,882           (101)          1,033
 Proceeds from issuance of other debt                                      337           7,996            210           3,842
 Principal payments on other debt                                         (812)         (5,650)           (64)         (3,839)
 Net financing activity with Automotive                                      -            (403)             -            (364)
 Spin-off of The Associates cash                                             -            (508)             -               -
 Other                                                                    (323)             53              0             106
                                                                       -------        --------        -------         -------
   Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities                  (1,568)          3,369           (404)            771

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash                                     (9)             69            (35)            (92)
Net transactions with Automotive/Financial Services                        419            (419)          (998)            998
                                                                       -------        --------        -------         -------

   Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                    488            (194)          (279)         (1,190)
                                                                       --------       --------        -------         -------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT MARCH 31                                  $ 6,804        $  1,424        $ 3,299         $ 2,499
                                                                       =======        ========        =======         =======
</TABLE>



The accompanying notes are part of the financial statements.

                                     FS-5
<PAGE>   10
                       Ford Motor Company and Subsidiaries

                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                   (unaudited)

1.   Financial Statements - The financial data presented herein are unaudited,
     but in the opinion of management reflect those adjustments necessary for a
     fair presentation of such information. Results for interim periods should
     not be considered indicative of results for a full year. Reference should
     be made to the financial statements contained in the registrant's Annual
     Report on Form 10-K (the "10-K Report") for the year ended December 31,
     1997. For purposes hereof, "Ford" or the "Company" means Ford Motor Company
     and its majority owned subsidiaries unless the context requires otherwise.
     Certain amounts for prior periods are reclassified, if required, to conform
     with 1998 presentations.

2.   Selected  Automotive  costs and  expenses  are  summarized  as follows (in
     millions):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        First Quarter
                                                    --------------------
                                                     1998        1997
                                                    --------    --------

<S>                                                <C>           <C>
       Depreciation                                  $680        $683
       Amortization                                   718         787
</TABLE>

3.   Spin-off of The Associates - On March 2, 1998, the Board of Directors of
     the Company approved the spin-off of The Associates by declaring a dividend
     on Ford's outstanding shares of Common and Class B Stock consisting of
     Ford's 80.7% interest (279.5 millions shares) in The Associates. The Board
     of Directors also declared a dividend in cash on shares of Company stock
     held in U.S. employee savings plans equal to the market value of The
     Associates stock to be distributed per share of the Company's Common and
     Class B Stock. Both the spin-off dividend and the cash dividend were paid
     on April 7, 1998 to stockholders of record on March 12, 1998.

     Holders  of Ford  Common  and  Class B Stock on the  record  date  received
     0.262085  shares of The  Associates  common  stock  for each  share of Ford
     stock, and  participants in U.S.  employee savings plans on the record date
     received   $22.12  in  cash  per  share  of  Ford   stock,   based  on  the
     volume-weighted average price of The Associates stock of $84.3849 per share
     on April 7, 1998. The total value of the  distribution  (including the $3.2
     billion cash dividend) was $26.8 billion or $22.12 per share of Ford stock.

     As a result of the  spin-off  of The  Associates,  Ford  realized a gain of
     $15,955  million based on the fair value of The Associates as of the record
     date,  March 12, 1998, in first  quarter  1998.  Ford has received a ruling
     from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service that the distribution qualifies as a
     tax-free transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

     The  Company's  results in first  quarter 1998 include  Ford's share of The
     Associates  earnings through the record date, March 12 ($177 million).  The
     balance sheet at March 31, 1998 no longer  includes The  Associates.  Other
     payables  includes a $3.2 billion  dividend  payable  generated by the cash
     dividend to participants in U.S. employee savings plans.

4.   Income  Per Share of Common  and Class B Stock - Basic  income per share of
     Common and Class B Stock is calculated by dividing the income  attributable
     to Common and Class B Stock by the  average  number of shares of Common and
     Class B Stock  outstanding  during  the  applicable  period,  adjusted  for
     issuable shares and uncommitted ESOP shares.

     The company had Series A Preferred Stock  convertible to Common Stock until
     January 9, 1998. Other obligations,  such as stock options,  are considered
     to be dilutive  potential  common stock.  The calculation of diluted income
     per share of Common  and Class B Stock  takes  into  account  the effect of
     dilutive potential common stock.

     Income per share of Common and Class B Stock was as follows  (in  millions,
     except per share amounts):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   First Quarter 1998         First Quarter 1997
                                                -----------------------     ----------------------
                                                 Income      Shares         Income      Shares
                                                -----------  ----------     ----------  ----------
<S>                                              <C>            <C>           <C>          <C>
Net income                                       $17,646        1,210         $1,469       1,190
Preferred stock dividend requirements                (95)           -            (14)          -
Issuable and uncommitted ESOP shares                   -            2              -          (3)
                                                 -------        -----         ------       -----
Basic income and shares                          $17,551        1,212         $1,455       1,187

Basic income per share                           $ 14.48                      $ 1.23

Basic income and shares                          $17,551        1,212         $1,455       1,187
Net dilutive effect of options                         -           20              -          14
Convertible preferred stock and other                  0            1              4          12
                                                 -------        -----         ------       -----
Diluted income and shares                        $17,551        1,233         $1,459       1,213

Diluted income per share                         $ 14.23                      $ 1.20
</TABLE>

                                     FS-6
<PAGE>   11

                     Ford Motor Company and Subsidiaries

                        NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                 (unaudited)


5. Automotive inventories are summarized as follows (in millions):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       March 31,         December 31,
                                                                         1998                1997
                                                                       ----------        ------------
<S>                                                                     <C>               <C>
     Raw materials, work in process and supplies                         $3,357              $2,875
     Finished products                                                    2,983               2,593
                                                                         ------              ------
        Total inventories                                                $6,340              $5,468
                                                                         ======              ======

     U.S. inventories                                                    $2,617              $1,993
</TABLE>


6.   Company-Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable  Preferred Securities of a
     Subsidiary Trust - The sole asset of Ford Motor Company Capital Trust I    
     (the "Trust"), which is the obligor on the Preferred Securities of such
     Trust, is $632 million principal amount of  9% Junior Subordinated
     Debentures due 2025 of Ford Motor Company.

        
7.   Changes in  stockholders'  equity for the three months ended March 31, 1998
     were as follows (in millions):


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Earnings                                                Capital
                                                                 Retained        Accum.                                 in Excess
                                                                 for Use         Other                                   of Par
                                                                  in the         Compr.                     Capital     Value of
                                                   Total         Business        Income         Other        Stock        Stock
                                               -------------- --------------- -------------  ------------ ------------ ------------


<S>                                              <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>        <C>          <C>
Balance at January 1                             $ 30,734        $ 25,234       $(1,228)        $ (39)    $1,203       $5,564

Comprehensive income
                                                   
  Net income                                       17,646          17,646 
                                                     (188)                         (188)
                                                   ------
  Other comprehensive income
   Total comprehensive income                      17,458

Common stock issued for Series A Preferred
Stock conversion, employee benefit plans
and other                                              93                                                     12           81

Associates spin-off to Ford Common
 stockholders                                     (22,298)        (22,298)
Associates spin-off cash distribution to
 savings plans                                     (3,242)         (3,242)
Preferred stock - Series B repurchase and
 Series A redemption                                 (420)                                                               (420)
ESOP loan and other                                  (309)             (2)                       (307)
Quarterly cash dividends                             (519)           (519)
                                                 --------        --------       -------         -----     ------       ------
Balance at March 31                              $ 21,497        $ 16,819       $(1,416)        $(346)    $1,215       $5,225
                                                 ========        ========       =======         =====     ======       ======


</TABLE>


                                     FS-7


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