e424b5
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration Statement Nos. 333-75214 and 333-139149
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To prospectus dated January 24, 2002)
$4,500,000,000
Ford Motor Company
4.25% Senior Convertible
Notes due 2036
The notes will bear interest from December 15 , 2006 at the
rate of 4.25% per annum. Ford will pay interest semiannually in
arrears on the 15th day of June and December, beginning
June 15, 2007. The notes will be convertible into shares of
our common stock based on a conversion rate (subject to
adjustment) of 108.6957 shares per $1,000 principal amount
of notes (which is equal to an initial conversion price of
approximately $9.20 per share). Holders may require Ford to
purchase all or a portion of the notes for cash on
December 20, 2016 and December 15, 2026 or upon a
change in control or for shares of our common stock upon a
designated event, in each case for a price equal to 100% of the
principal amount of the notes being repurchased, plus any
accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of
repurchase. Ford may redeem for cash all or a portion of the
notes at its option at any time or from time to time on or after
December 20, 2016 at a price equal to 100% of the principal
amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid
interest to, but not including, the redemption date. In
addition, Ford may terminate your conversion rights at any time
on or after December 20, 2013 if the closing sale price of
our common stock exceeds 140% of the then prevailing conversion
price for 20 trading days during any consecutive 30 trading day
period.
A brief description of the notes can be found under
Summary The Offering beginning on
page S-3.
SEE RISK FACTORS BEGINNING ON PAGE
S-10 FOR A
DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE
INVESTING IN THE NOTES.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved of these
securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Fords common stock is listed on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol F. The last reported sale
price of Ford common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on
December 6, 2006 was $7.36 per share.
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Per Note
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Total
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Initial public offering price
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$
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1,000
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$
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4,500,000,000
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Underwriting discounts and
commissions
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$
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20
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$
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90,000,000
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Proceeds, before expenses, to Ford
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$
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980
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$
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4,410,000,000
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The initial public offering price above does not include accrued
interest, if any. Interest on the notes will accrue from the
date of original issuance, expected to be December 15, 2006.
To the extent the underwriters sell more than $4,500,000,000
principal amount of the notes, the underwriters have the option
to purchase up to an additional $450,000,000 principal amount of
the notes from Ford at the initial public offering price less
the underwriting discount.
The underwriters expect to deliver the notes in book entry form
only through the facilities of The Depositary Trust Company
against payment in New York, New York on December 15, 2006.
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Citigroup
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Goldman, Sachs &
Co.
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JPMorgan
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Prospectus Supplement dated December 6, 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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Prospectus Supplement
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ii
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ii
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S-1
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S-10
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S-21
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S-22
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S-23
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S-24
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S-27
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S-50
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S-53
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S-59
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S-61
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S-67
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S-67
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Prospectus
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You should rely only on the information contained in or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the
related prospectus. Ford has not authorized anyone to provide
you with different information.
We are not making an offer of these securities in any state
where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the
information contained in or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus supplement and the related prospectus is accurate as
of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus
supplement.
i
The following information supplements, and should be read
together with, the information contained in the related
prospectus. You should read this information together with the
financial statements and notes to the financial statements
appearing elsewhere in or incorporated by reference into this
prospectus supplement and the related prospectus.
We file annual, quarterly and special reports and other
information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
SEC). You may read and copy any document we file at
the SECs public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E.,
Washington, D.C. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330
for further information on the public reference room. Our SEC
filings also are available to you at the SECs web site at
http://www.sec.gov. The SEC allows us to
incorporate by reference the information we file
with them into this prospectus supplement, which means that we
can disclose important information to you by referring you to
those documents and those documents will be considered part of
this prospectus supplement. Information that we file later with
the SEC will automatically update and supersede the previously
filed information.
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any
future filings made with the SEC under Section 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until
this offering has been completed.
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Ford Annual Report on
Form 10-K/A
dated November 14, 2006 (our Annual Report);
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Ford Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q/A
for the quarters ended March 31, 2006 and June 30,
2006, each dated November 17, 2006, and the Quarterly
Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, dated
November 14, 2006; and
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Ford Current Reports on
Form 8-K
filed January 4, 2006, January 6, 2006,
January 12, 2006, January 17, 2006, January 25,
2006, February 1, 2006, February 10, 2006,
March 1, 2006, March 9, 2006, March 9, 2006,
March 9, 2006, April 3, 2006, April 7, 2006,
April 19, 2006, May 2, 2006, May 15, 2006,
June 1, 2006, June 9, 2006, June 29, 2006,
July 5, 2006, July 17, 2006, July 19, 2006,
July 25, 2006, August 1, 2006, August 2, 2006,
August 9, 2006, August 22, 2006, August 23, 2006,
August 25, 2006, August 31, 2006, September 5,
2006, September 8, 2006, September 18, 2006,
September 19, 2006, September 20, 2006,
October 3, 2006, October 23, 2006, November 1,
2006, November 14, 2006, November 17, 2006,
November 27, 2006, November 29, 2006, December 1,
2006, December 5, 2006, December 5, 2006, and
December 6, 2006 (except for the information furnished
pursuant to Item 2.02 and Item 7.01 of
Form 8-K
and the furnished exhibits relating to that information).
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In addition, all reports and other documents we subsequently
file pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, after the date of
this prospectus supplement (other than any information furnished
pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any Current
Report on
Form 8-K
unless we specifically state in such Current Report that such
information is to be considered filed under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange
Act, or we incorporate it by reference into a filing under the
Securities Act or the Exchange Act) will be deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and to
be part of this prospectus supplement from the date of the
filing of such reports and documents. Any statement contained in
this prospectus supplement or in a document incorporated or
deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to
be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus
supplement to the extent that a statement contained in any
subsequently filed document which is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall
not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this prospectus supplement.
ii
Notwithstanding the foregoing, we are not incorporating any
document or information deemed to have been furnished and not
filed in accordance with SEC rules. You may obtain a copy of any
or all of the documents referred to above which may have been or
may be incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement
(excluding certain exhibits to the documents) at no cost to you
by writing or telephoning us at the following address:
Ford Motor Company
One American Road
Dearborn, MI 48126
Attn: Shareholder Relations Department
800-555-5259
or
313-845-8540
Forward Looking Statements
This prospectus supplement includes forward looking
statements. All statements other than statements of
historical facts included or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, statements
in the sections entitled Summary and Risk
Factors regarding the prospects of our industry and our
prospects, plans, financial position, and business strategy, may
constitute forward looking statements. These statements are
based on the beliefs and assumptions of our management and on
the information currently available to our management at the
time of such statements and involve a number of risks,
uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those stated. Forward looking
statements generally can be identified by the words
believes, expects,
anticipates, intends, plans,
estimates or similar expressions that indicate
future events and trends. Although we believe that the
expectations reflected in these forward looking statements are
reasonable, these expectations may not prove to be correct.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from our expectations are disclosed in this
prospectus supplement, including in the section entitled
Risk Factors. These forward looking statements speak
only as of the date of this prospectus supplement. We will not
update these statements unless the securities laws require us to
do so. Factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
outcomes and results to be materially different from those
projected include, among others:
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Continued decline in our market share;
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Continued or increased price competition resulting from industry
overcapacity, currency fluctuations or other factors;
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A market shift (or an increase in or acceleration of market
shift) away from sales of trucks or sport utility vehicles, or
from sales of other more profitable vehicles in the United
States;
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A significant decline in industry sales, particularly in the
United States or Europe, resulting from slowing economic growth,
geo-political events (e.g., an escalation or expansion of armed
conflict in or beyond the Middle East) or other factors;
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Lower than anticipated market acceptance of our new or existing
products;
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Continued or increased high prices for or reduced availability
of fuel;
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Currency or commodity price fluctuations;
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Adverse effects from the bankruptcy or insolvency of, change of
ownership or control of, or alliances entered into by, a major
competitor;
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Economic distress of suppliers that has in the past and may in
the future require us to provide financial support or take other
measures to ensure supplies of components or materials;
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Work stoppages at Ford or supplier facilities or other
interruptions of supplies;
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Single-source supply of components or materials;
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iii
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Labor or other constraints on our ability to restructure our
business;
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Worse than assumed economic and demographic experience for our
postretirement benefit plans (e.g., discount rates, investment
returns, and health care cost trends);
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The discovery of defects in vehicles resulting in delays in new
model launches, recall campaigns or increased warranty costs;
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Increased safety, emissions, fuel economy or other (e.g.,
pension funding) regulation resulting in higher costs, cash
expenditures,
and/or sales
restrictions;
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Unusual or significant litigation or governmental investigations
arising out of alleged defects in our products or otherwise;
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A change in our requirements for parts or materials where we
have entered into long-term supply arrangements that commit us
to purchase minimum or fixed quantities of certain parts or
materials, or to pay a minimum amount to the seller
(take-or-pay
contracts);
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Inability to access debt or securitization markets around the
world at competitive rates or in sufficient amounts due to
additional credit rating downgrades, unfavorable capital market
conditions, insufficient collateral,
greater-than-expected
negative operating-related cash flow or otherwise;
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Higher than expected credit losses;
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Increased competition from banks or other financial institutions
seeking to increase their share of financing Ford vehicles;
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Changes in interest rates;
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Collection and servicing problems related to finance receivables
and net investment in operating leases;
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Lower than anticipated residual values or higher than expected
return volumes for leased vehicles;
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New or increased credit, consumer or data protection or other
regulations resulting in higher costs
and/or
additional financing restrictions; and
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Inability to implement the Way Forward plan.
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iv
This summary highlights certain information that we believe is
important concerning our business and this offering. It does not
contain all of the information that may be important to you and
to your investment decision. The following summary is qualified
in its entirety by the more detailed information and
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing
elsewhere in this prospectus supplement or incorporated herein
by reference. You should carefully read the entire prospectus
supplement, the related prospectus and all of the documents
incorporated herein by reference, and you should consider, among
other things, the matters set forth in the section entitled
Risk Factors before deciding to invest in the notes.
In this prospectus supplement and related prospectus, unless
indicated otherwise, we, us and
our refer to Ford, the issuer of the notes, and its
subsidiaries.
COMPANY OVERVIEW
We incorporated in Delaware in 1919. We acquired the business of
a Michigan company, also known as Ford Motor Company,
incorporated in 1903 to produce and sell automobiles designed
and engineered by Henry Ford. We are one of the worlds
largest producers of cars and trucks combined. We and our
subsidiaries also engage in other businesses, including
financing vehicles.
We review and present our business results in two sectors:
Automotive and Financial Services. Within these sectors, our
business is divided into reportable segments based upon the
organizational structure that we use to evaluate performance and
make decisions on resource allocation, as well as availability
and materiality of separate financial results consistent with
that structure.
Our Automotive and Financial Services segments are described in
the table below:
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Business Sector
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Reportable Segments
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Description
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Automotive
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Ford North America
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Primarily includes the sale of
Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brand vehicles and related service
parts in North America (the United States, Canada and Mexico).
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Ford South America
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Primarily includes the sale of
Ford-brand vehicles and related service parts in South America.
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Ford Europe
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Primarily includes the sale of
Ford-brand vehicles and related service parts in Europe, Turkey
and Russia.
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Premier Automotive Group
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Primarily includes the sale of
Premier Automotive Group (PAG) brand vehicles (i.e.,
Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover and Aston Martin) and related service
parts throughout the world (including North and South America,
Asia Pacific and Africa).
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Ford Asia Pacific and
Africa/Mazda
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Primarily includes the sale of
Ford-brand vehicles and related service parts in the Asia
Pacific region and South Africa, and also includes our share of
the results of Mazda Motor Corporation (of which we own
approximately 33.4%) and certain of our Mazda-related
investments.
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Financial Services
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Ford Motor Credit Company
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Primarily includes vehicle-related
financing, leasing, and insurance.
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S-1
Outlook. For the fourth quarter of 2006, we
expect automotive operating-related cash outflows of about
$3 billion and restructuring cash expenditures of between
$500 million and $1 billion. We expect that, following
completion of the Financing Transactions described below, we
will have automotive gross cash (i.e., cash, cash equivalents,
loaned and marketable securities and short-term Voluntary
Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) assets) and
committed credit lines totaling at least $38 billion at
year-end 2006.
During the period 2007 through 2009, we expect cumulative
automotive operating-related cash outflows of about
$10 billion and cumulative cash expenditures for
restructuring actions of about $7 billion. More than half
of this $17 billion cash outflow is expected to occur in
2007. This cash outflow primarily reflects substantial operating
losses in our automotive sector through 2008 and cash
expenditures incurred in connection with personnel separations.
It also reflects our expectation to continue to invest in new
products throughout this period at about the same level as we
have during the past few years, or approximately $7 billion
annually.
In addition to any proceeds to be received from this offering
and the closing of the new senior secured credit facilities
described below, over this three-year period we expect
automotive cash inflows of about $4 billion, reflecting the
use of $3 billion in long-term VEBA assets, proceeds from
receipt of government tax refunds and affiliate tax payments,
and proceeds from planned divestitures of Aston Martin and
Automobile Protection Corporation, offset partially by pension
contributions.
Beginning in 2007, our indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary, Ford
Motor Credit Company (together with its subsidiaries, referred
to herein as FMCC or Ford Credit) will
suspend its regular dividend payments. Also in 2007, we
anticipate a deterioration in overall total company earnings,
resulting primarily from decreased earnings at FMCC (associated
with lower financing margins, lower credit loss reserve
reductions, and the effect of lower average receivable levels)
and increased interest costs associated with a higher level of
debt at Ford. During 2008 and 2009, we anticipate that
FMCCs profitability will improve from 2007 levels.
For a definition and discussion of operating-related cash
flow, see the information under the heading
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations Liquidity and
Capital Resources Automotive Sector in
Part I, Item 2 of our Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
Senior Secured Credit Facilities. We intend to
enter into new senior secured credit facilities substantially
concurrently with the closing of the offering of the notes. The
new senior secured credit facilities are expected to include a
seven-year term loan with an aggregate principal amount of
$7 billion, which will be drawn in a single drawing upon
the closing of the facilities. The new senior secured credit
facilities are also expected to include a five-year revolving
credit facility, with an aggregate amount of between
$10.5 billion and $11.5 billion, which amount may
change at closing or thereafter based on market conditions and
other factors. The revolving credit facilities are not expected
to be drawn upon the closing of the facilities, but may be drawn
upon at any time subject to satisfying certain conditions. We
and certain of our existing domestic subsidiaries will be
guarantors under the new senior secured credit facilities and
our future material domestic subsidiaries will become guarantors
when formed or acquired. Our obligations under the new senior
secured credit facilities, along with obligations arising under
certain hedging agreements, cash management obligations and
additional first lien pari passu secured indebtedness
will be secured on an equal basis by first-priority liens on our
principal domestic manufacturing facilities (subject to public
debt indenture limitations) and substantially all of our other
domestic automotive assets, certain intellectual property,
certain real property, all or a portion of the stock of certain
of our subsidiaries (including FMCC and Volvo), certain
intercompany payables and notes and up to $4 billion of
marketable securities or cash proceeds therefrom. See
Description of Other Indebtedness Senior
Secured Credit Facilities. This offering is not
conditioned upon entering into the new senior secured credit
facilities.
This offering of the notes and the borrowings and commitments
under our new senior secured credit facilities and the
application of the net proceeds therefrom are collectively
referred to throughout this prospectus supplement as the
Financing Transactions.
S-2
THE OFFERING
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Securities Offered |
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$4,500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.25% senior
convertible notes due 2036, which may increase up to
$4,950,000,000 aggregate principal amount of senior convertible
notes, if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option
in full. Unless otherwise indicated, all information in this
prospectus supplement assumes the over-allotment option is not
exercised. |
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Offering Price |
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100% of the principal amount. The principal amount per note
is $1,000. |
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Ranking |
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The notes will be senior unsecured obligations of Ford and will: |
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be effectively junior to any existing or future
secured debt;
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rank equally in right of payment with any existing
or future senior unsecured indebtedness;
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rank senior to all of our existing and future
subordinated debt, including Fords 6.50% Junior
Subordinated Debentures due 2032; and
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be structurally subordinated to all existing and
future liabilities of our subsidiaries, including debt for
borrowed money, guarantees of our new senior secured credit
facilities, trade payables, lease commitments and pension and
postretirement healthcare and life insurance liabilities.
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As of September 30, 2006, we and our subsidiaries (other
than our financial services sector, including FMCC) had
approximately $17.7 billion of consolidated indebtedness.
As of September 30, 2006, our financial services sector had
approximately $136.7 billion of consolidated indebtedness,
including $134.5 billion of consolidated indebtedness of
FMCC. |
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As of September 30, 2006, on a pro forma basis after giving
effect to the Financing Transactions, our total outstanding debt
(other than debt of our financial services sector, including
FMCC) would have been approximately $29.2 billion,
including: |
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$7.0 billion of secured indebtedness under our
new senior secured credit facilities and $0.3 billion of
existing secured indebtedness;
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$2.2 billion of additional unsecured
indebtedness of our subsidiaries that would be structurally
senior to the notes;
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$10.0 billion of unsecured indebtedness that
would have been pari passu with the notes; and
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$5.2 billion of the Junior Subordinated
Debentures due 2032.
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In addition, as of September 30, 2006 on a pro forma basis
after giving effect to the Financing Transactions, (1) we
would have had undrawn commitments under our new senior |
S-3
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secured revolving credit facilities being entered into in
connection with the Financing Transactions of between
$10.5 billion and $11.5 billion, which amount may
change at closing or thereafter based on market conditions and
other factors, and (2) we estimate that we would continue
to have commitments under existing unsecured bilateral credit
facilities of approximately $1.2 billion. |
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Maturity Date |
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December 15, 2036 |
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Interest |
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4.25% per annum on the principal amount, payable
semiannually in arrears in cash on June 15 and December 15 of
each year, commencing June 15, 2007. |
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Conversion |
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Holders may surrender their notes for conversion into
Fords common stock at a conversion rate of
108.6957 shares of its common stock per $1,000 principal
amount of notes. This is equivalent to an initial conversion
price of approximately $9.20 per share of our common stock.
The conversion rate may be adjusted under certain circumstances,
but will not be adjusted for accrued interest. See
Description of Notes Conversion
Rights Conversion Rate Adjustments and
Description of Notes Conversion
Rights Adjustment to Conversion Rate upon a
Designated Event. |
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Upon conversion, Ford will have the right to deliver, in lieu of
shares of its common stock, cash or a combination of cash and
shares of its common stock, in each case calculated as described
under Description of Notes Conversion
Rights Settlement upon Conversion. At any time
on or prior to the 26th trading day prior to the maturity
date, Ford may irrevocably elect to satisfy its conversion
obligation with respect to the principal amount of the notes to
be converted as described under Description of
Notes Conversion Rights Our Right to
Irrevocably Elect Net Share Settlement upon Conversion.
Upon any conversion, subject to certain exceptions, you will not
receive any cash payment representing accrued and unpaid
interest. See Description of Notes Conversion
Rights Conversion Procedures. |
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Termination of Conversion Rights |
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In addition, we may terminate your conversion rights at any time
on or after December 20, 2013 if the closing sale price of
our common stock exceeds 140% of the then prevailing conversion
price for 20 trading days during any consecutive
30 trading day period as described under Description
of Notes Conversion Rights Our Right to
Terminate Conversion Rights. |
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Optional Redemption |
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Ford may redeem for cash all or a portion of the notes at its
option at any time on or after December 20, 2016 at a price
equal to 100% of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and
unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date, see
Description of Notes Redemption by Ford. |
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Repurchase at the Option of Holders |
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Holders may require Ford to purchase for cash all or a portion
of their notes on December 20, 2016 and December 15,
2026 |
S-4
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at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes
being repurchased, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but
not including, the date of repurchase. See Description of
Notes Repurchase at the Option of Holders. |
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Repurchase upon a Designated Event or Change in Control |
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Holders may require Ford to repurchase notes upon a change in
control in cash at 100% of the principal amount of the notes,
plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the
date of repurchase as described under Description of
Notes Repurchase upon a Designated Event or Change
in Control. Holders may also require Ford to repurchase
notes upon the occurrence of certain designated events in shares
of our common stock at 100% of the principal amount of the
notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but not
including, the date of repurchase. In addition, the conversion
rate will be increased for any holder who elects to convert its
notes in connection with certain designated events. See
Description of Notes Conversion
Rights Adjustment to the Conversion Rate upon a
Designated Event. |
|
Use of Proceeds |
|
We expect to use proceeds from both this offering and borrowings
under our new senior secured credit facilities for general
corporate purposes, including to fund a portion of our
substantial negative operating-related cash flow and to pay
restructuring costs expected to be incurred in the future. See
Use of Proceeds. |
|
Certain Covenants |
|
The indenture under which the notes will be issued contains
covenants for the benefit of the holders of the notes which,
among other things, restrict Fords ability to consolidate,
merge, transfer all or substantially all of its assets, create
liens or enter into sale and lease-back transactions. See
Description of Notes Certain Covenants.
The indenture and the notes will not limit the amount of debt
Ford or any of its subsidiaries may incur. |
|
Events of Default |
|
The following will be Events of Default for the
notes: |
|
|
|
failure to pay accrued and unpaid interest on the
notes for 30 days after becoming due;
|
|
|
|
failure to pay the principal amount, redemption
price or repurchase price of any note for five business days
after such amount becomes due and payable on the notes;
|
|
|
|
failure by Ford to provide notice of a change in
control as required by the indenture;
|
|
|
|
default in the delivery when due of all cash and any
shares of common stock payable upon conversion with respect to
the notes, which default continues for 15 days; and
|
|
|
|
failure by Ford to comply with any of its other
covenants in the notes or the indenture upon receipt by us of
notice of such default by the trustee or by holders of not less
than 25% in aggregate principal mount of the notes then
outstanding and its failure to cure (or obtain a waiver of) such
default within 90 days after receipt of such notice or
|
S-5
|
|
|
|
|
such shorter period as set forth under Description of
Notes Reports to Trustee; and |
|
|
|
certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization affecting Ford.
|
|
New York Stock Exchange Symbol for Common Stock |
|
F |
|
Global Notes; Book-Entry System |
|
Ford intends to issue the notes only in fully registered form
without interest coupons and in denominations of $1,000 and
integral multiples of $1,000. The notes will be evidenced by one
or more global notes deposited with the trustee for the notes,
as custodian for The Depository Trust Company, or DTC.
Beneficial interests in the global note will be shown on, and
transfers of those beneficial interests can only be made
through, records maintained by DTC and its participants. See
Description of Notes Form, Denomination,
Transfer, Exchange and Book-Entry Procedures. |
|
Tax |
|
The notes and common stock that may be issuable upon conversion
of the notes will be subject to complex U.S. federal income
tax and estate tax rules. Prospective investors are strongly
urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the
federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of
purchasing, owning, and disposing of the notes and common stock
into which the notes are convertible. See Certain United
States Federal Income and Estate Tax Considerations. |
|
Governing Law |
|
The indenture and the notes are governed by the laws of the
State of New York. |
|
Trustee |
|
The Bank of New York, as successor trustee to JPMorgan Chase
Bank. |
|
Risk Factors |
|
You should carefully consider all of the information contained
or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement prior
to investing in the notes. In particular, we urge you to
carefully consider the information set forth under Risk
Factors beginning on
page S-10
of this prospectus supplement for a discussion of risks and
uncertainties relating to us, our business and an investment in
the notes. |
S-6
Summary Consolidated Financial Data
The following table sets forth selected financial data for each
of the last five years (dollar amounts in millions, except per
share amounts). The selected financial data presented in the
following table has been restated for the fiscal years ended
December 31, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 and the nine
months ended September 30, 2005. The nature of the
restatements and the effect on the financial statement line
items are discussed in Note 28 to our audited consolidated
financial statements contained in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K/A
for the year ended December 31, 2005 and incorporated by
reference in this prospectus supplement. Prior year amounts have
also been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.
We derived the summary historical financial data presented below
from our consolidated financial statements. The statement of
operations and other data presented below for the years ended
December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 and the balance sheet data
presented below at December 31, 2005 and 2004 are derived
from our audited consolidated financial statements contained in
our Annual Report on
Form 10-K/A
for the year ended December 31, 2005 and incorporated by
reference in this prospectus supplement. We derived the
unaudited statement of operations and other data presented below
for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 and the
balance sheet data presented below at December 31, 2003,
2002 and 2001 from Item 6 (Selected Financial Data) in our
Annual Report on
Form 10-K/A
for the year ended December 31, 2005, which is incorporated
by reference in this prospectus supplement. We derived the
statement of operations and other data presented below for the
nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 and the
balance sheet data presented below at September 30, 2006
from our unaudited consolidated financial statements contained
in our Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 and incorporated
by reference in this prospectus supplement. Our unaudited
consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended
September 30, 2006 and 2005 include, in our opinion, all
adjustments consisting of normal recurring adjustments necessary
for a fair statement of the results for the period. The results
of interim periods may not be indicative of our results for the
full year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Months
|
|
|
Nine Months
|
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
|
2001
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(Restated)
|
|
|
(Restated)
|
|
|
(Restated)
|
|
|
(Restated)
|
|
|
(Restated)
|
|
|
(Restated)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Summary of Operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales and revenues
|
|
$
|
162,501
|
|
|
$
|
167,000
|
|
|
$
|
166,095
|
|
|
$
|
172,316
|
|
|
$
|
176,896
|
|
|
$
|
130,571
|
|
|
$
|
119,805
|
|
Income/(loss) before income taxes
|
|
|
(6,372
|
)
|
|
|
4,036
|
|
|
|
914
|
|
|
|
4,109
|
|
|
|
1,079
|
|
|
|
1,337
|
|
|
|
(9,363
|
)
|
Provision/credit) for income taxes
|
|
|
(1,777
|
)
|
|
|
1,459
|
|
|
|
(46
|
)
|
|
|
643
|
|
|
|
(845
|
)
|
|
|
(328
|
)
|
|
|
(2,499
|
)
|
Minority interests in net income of
subsidiaries
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
367
|
|
|
|
314
|
|
|
|
282
|
|
|
|
280
|
|
|
|
196
|
|
|
|
126
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income/(loss) from continuing
operations
|
|
|
(4,619
|
)
|
|
|
2,210
|
|
|
|
646
|
|
|
|
3,184
|
|
|
|
1,644
|
|
|
|
1,469
|
|
|
|
(6,990
|
)
|
Income/(loss) from discontinued
operations
|
|
|
(168
|
)
|
|
|
(333
|
)
|
|
|
(143
|
)
|
|
|
(146
|
)
|
|
|
47
|
|
|
|
45
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
Cumulative effects of change in
accounting principle
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,002
|
)
|
|
|
(264
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(251
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income/(loss)
|
|
$
|
(4,787
|
)
|
|
$
|
875
|
|
|
$
|
239
|
|
|
$
|
3,038
|
|
|
$
|
1,440
|
|
|
$
|
1,514
|
|
|
$
|
(6,988
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Automotive
sector
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales
|
|
$
|
130,746
|
|
|
$
|
134,706
|
|
|
$
|
139,433
|
|
|
$
|
147,119
|
|
|
$
|
153,474
|
|
|
$
|
112,778
|
|
|
$
|
107,356
|
|
Operating income/(loss)
|
|
|
(7,767
|
)
|
|
|
(507
|
)
|
|
|
(1,035
|
)
|
|
|
(200
|
)
|
|
|
(4,188
|
)
|
|
|
(1,985
|
)
|
|
|
(11,717
|
)
|
Income/(loss) before income taxes
|
|
|
(8,859
|
)
|
|
|
(957
|
)
|
|
|
(1,387
|
)
|
|
|
(178
|
)
|
|
|
(3,874
|
)
|
|
|
(1,575
|
)
|
|
|
(10,913
|
)
|
S-7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Months
|
|
|
Nine Months
|
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
|
2001
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(Restated)
|
|
|
(Restated)
|
|
|
(Restated)
|
|
|
(Restated)
|
|
|
(Restated)
|
|
|
(Restated)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Services
sector
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
31,755
|
|
|
$
|
32,294
|
|
|
$
|
26,662
|
|
|
$
|
25,197
|
|
|
$
|
23,422
|
|
|
$
|
17,793
|
|
|
$
|
12,449
|
|
Income/(loss) before income taxes
|
|
|
2,487
|
|
|
|
4,993
|
|
|
|
2,301
|
|
|
|
4,287
|
|
|
|
4,953
|
|
|
|
2,912
|
|
|
|
1,550
|
|
Total Company Data Per Share
of Common and Class B Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income/(loss) from continuing
operations
|
|
$
|
(2.56
|
)
|
|
$
|
1.21
|
|
|
$
|
0.35
|
|
|
$
|
1.74
|
|
|
$
|
0.89
|
|
|
$
|
0.80
|
|
|
$
|
(3.73
|
)
|
Income/(loss) from discontinued
operations
|
|
|
(0.09
|
)
|
|
|
(0.19
|
)
|
|
|
(0.08
|
)
|
|
|
(0.08
|
)
|
|
|
0.03
|
|
|
|
0.02
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative effects of change in
accounting principle
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.55
|
)
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income/(loss)
|
|
$
|
(2.65
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.47
|
|
|
$
|
0.13
|
|
|
$
|
1.66
|
|
|
$
|
0.78
|
|
|
$
|
0.82
|
|
|
$
|
(3.73
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income/(loss) from continuing
operations
|
|
$
|
(2.56
|
)
|
|
$
|
1.14
|
|
|
$
|
0.35
|
|
|
$
|
1.59
|
|
|
$
|
0.87
|
|
|
$
|
0.76
|
|
|
$
|
(3.73
|
)
|
Income/(loss) from
discontinued/held-for-sale operations
|
|
|
(0.09
|
)
|
|
|
(0.16
|
)
|
|
|
(0.08
|
)
|
|
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
|
0.02
|
|
|
|
0.03
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative effects of change in
accounting principle
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.47
|
)
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.12
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income/(loss)
|
|
$
|
(2.65
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.51
|
|
|
$
|
0.13
|
|
|
$
|
1.52
|
|
|
$
|
0.77
|
|
|
$
|
0.79
|
|
|
$
|
(3.73
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash dividends
|
|
$
|
1.05
|
|
|
$
|
0.40
|
|
|
$
|
0.40
|
|
|
$
|
0.40
|
|
|
$
|
0.40
|
|
|
$
|
0.30
|
|
|
$
|
0.25
|
|
Sector Balance Sheet Data at
Year End
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Automotive sector
|
|
$
|
87,869
|
|
|
$
|
100,140
|
|
|
$
|
111,208
|
|
|
$
|
113,251
|
|
|
$
|
113,825
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
113,926
|
|
Financial Services sector
|
|
|
188,680
|
|
|
|
187,576
|
|
|
|
195,509
|
|
|
|
189,188
|
|
|
|
162,194
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
164,193
|
|
Intersector elimination
|
|
|
(4,650
|
)
|
|
|
(5,865
|
)
|
|
|
(3,356
|
)
|
|
|
(2,753
|
)
|
|
|
(83
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(994
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
271,899
|
|
|
$
|
281,851
|
|
|
$
|
303,361
|
|
|
$
|
299,686
|
|
|
$
|
275,936
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
277,125
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term Debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Automotive sector
|
|
$
|
13,467
|
|
|
$
|
13,363
|
|
|
$
|
18,758
|
|
|
$
|
17,250
|
|
|
$
|
16,900
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
16,376
|
|
Financial Services sector
|
|
|
123,148
|
|
|
|
121,304
|
|
|
|
123,655
|
|
|
|
112,080
|
|
|
|
103,080
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
105,100
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total long-term debt
|
|
$
|
136,615
|
|
|
$
|
134,667
|
|
|
$
|
142,413
|
|
|
$
|
129,330
|
|
|
$
|
119,980
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
121,476
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders
Equity
|
|
$
|
7,856
|
|
|
$
|
7,633
|
|
|
$
|
13,459
|
|
|
$
|
17,437
|
|
|
$
|
13,442
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
9,163
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
Charges(1)
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
1.4
|
x
|
|
|
1.1
|
x
|
|
|
1.4
|
x
|
|
|
1.1
|
x
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
|
(1) |
For purposes of the ratio, earnings means the sum
of: (a) our pre-tax income from continuing operations,
(b) any income we received from
less-than-fifty-percent-owned
companies, and (c) our fixed charges, excluding capitalized
interest and preferred stock dividend requirements of our
consolidated subsidiaries and trusts. Fixed charges
means the sum of: (a) the interest we pay on borrowed
funds, (b) the preferred stock dividend requirements of our
consolidated subsidiaries and trusts, (c) the amount we
amortize for debt discount, premium, and issuance expense, and
(d) one-third of all our rental expenses (the proportion
deemed representative of the interest
|
S-8
|
|
|
factor), and our preferred stock dividend requirements,
increased to an amount representing the pre-tax earnings
required to cover such dividend requirements based on our
effective income tax rates.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Earnings for the year ended December 31, 2001 were
inadequate to cover fixed charges by $6.1 billion.
|
|
(3)
|
Earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 were
inadequate to cover fixed charges by $9.6 billion.
|
S-9
An investment in the notes involves a high degree of risk. In
addition to the other information contained or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus supplement, prospective investors
should carefully consider the following risks before making an
investment in the notes. Additional risks and uncertainties not
currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial
may also materially and adversely affect our business, financial
condition and operating results. If any of the following risks
actually occur, our business, financial condition and operating
results could be materially adversely affected, which, in turn,
could adversely affect the value of the notes and/or our ability
to pay interest and principal on the notes.
Risks relating to our business
Continued decline in market share. Our market
share in the United States has declined in each of the past five
years, from 22.8% in 2001 to 18.2% in 2005. Because a high
proportion of our costs are fixed, these volume reductions have
had an adverse impact on our results of operations. Our plant
utilization rate in North America is approximately 75%,
which is not sustainable. While we are attempting to stabilize
our market share and reduce our capacity over time through the
steps described in the Way Forward plan, we cannot be certain
that we will be successful. Continued declines in our market
share could have a substantial adverse effect on our results of
operations and financial condition.
Continued or increased price competition resulting from
industry overcapacity, currency fluctuations or other
factors. The global automotive industry is intensely
competitive, with overall manufacturing capacity far exceeding
current demand. For example, the global automotive industry is
estimated to have had excess capacity of approximately
15 million units in 2005. Industry overcapacity has
resulted in many of our principal competitors offering marketing
incentives on vehicles in an attempt to maintain market share.
These marketing incentives have included a combination of
subsidized financing or leasing programs, price rebates and
other incentives. As a result, we have not necessarily been able
to increase prices sufficiently to offset higher costs of
marketing incentives or other cost increases (e.g., for
commodities or health care) or the impact of adverse currency
fluctuations in either the U.S. or European markets. While
we and General Motors have each announced plans to significantly
reduce capacity, these reductions will take several years to
complete and will only partially address the industrys
overcapacity problems. A continuation or increase in these
trends could have a substantial adverse effect on our results of
operations and financial condition.
A market shift (or an increase in or acceleration of
market shift) away from sales of trucks or sport utility
vehicles, or from sales of other more profitable vehicles in the
United States. Trucks and sport utility vehicles have
represented some of the most profitable vehicle segments in the
United States. During the past year, there has been a general
shift in consumer preferences away from medium- and large-sized
sport utility vehicles, which has adversely affected our
profitability. A continuation or acceleration of this general
shift in consumer preferences away from sport utility vehicles,
or a similar shift in consumer preferences away from truck sales
or other more profitable vehicle sales, whether because of
higher fuel prices or otherwise, could have an increasingly
adverse effect on our results of operations and financial
condition.
A significant decline in industry sales, particularly in
the United States or Europe, resulting from slowing economic
growth, geo-political events or other factors. The
worldwide automotive industry is affected significantly by
general economic conditions (among other factors) over which
automobile manufacturers have little control. This is especially
so because vehicles are durable goods, which provide consumers
latitude in determining whether and when to replace an existing
vehicle. The decision whether and when to make a vehicle
purchase may be affected significantly by slowing economic
growth, geo-political events, and other factors. Consumer demand
may vary substantially from year to year, and, in any given
year, consumer demand may be affected
S-10
significantly by general economic conditions, including the cost
of purchasing and operating a vehicle and the availability and
cost of credit and fuel.
Moreover, like other manufacturers, we have a high proportion of
costs that are fixed, so that relatively small changes in unit
sales volumes may dramatically affect overall profitability. In
recent years, industry demand has remained at high levels.
Should industry demand soften because of slowing or negative
economic growth in key markets or other factors, our results of
operations and financial condition could be substantially
adversely affected. For additional discussion of economic
trends, see Item 7. Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations Overview in our Annual Report
incorporated by reference herein.
Lower-than-anticipated
market acceptance of new or existing products. Offering
highly desirable vehicles can mitigate the risks of increasing
price competition and declining demand. Conversely, offering
vehicles that are perceived to be less desirable (whether in
terms of price, quality, styling, safety, overall value or
otherwise) can exacerbate these risks. For example, if a new
model were to experience quality issues at the time of launch,
the vehicles perceived quality could be affected even
after the issues had been corrected, resulting in lower sales
volumes, market share and profitability.
Continued or increased high prices for or reduced
availability of fuel. A continuation of or further
increase in high prices for fuel or reduced availability of
fuel, particularly in the United States, could result in weaker
demand for relatively more profitable large and luxury car and
truck models and increased demand for relatively less profitable
small cars and trucks. An acceleration of such a trend, as
demonstrated in the short-term with the spike in fuel prices
following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the U.S. Gulf
Coast region, could have a substantial adverse effect on our
results of operations and financial condition.
Currency or commodity price fluctuations. As a
resource-intensive manufacturing operation, we are exposed to a
variety of market and asset risks, including the effects of
changes in foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and
interest rates. These risks affect our Automotive and Financial
Services sectors. We monitor and manage these exposures as an
integral part of our overall risk management program, which
recognizes the unpredictability of markets and seeks to reduce
the potentially adverse effects on our results. Nevertheless,
changes in currency exchange rates, commodity prices and
interest rates cannot always be predicted. In addition, because
of intense price competition and our high level of fixed costs,
we may not be able to address such changes even if they are
foreseeable. Substantial changes in these rates and prices could
have a substantial adverse effect on our results of operations
and financial condition. For additional discussion of currency
or commodity price risk, see Item 7A. Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk in our
Annual Report and Item 3. Quantitative and
Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk in our Quarterly
Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, each incorporated
by reference herein.
Adverse effects from the bankruptcy or insolvency of a
major competitor. We and certain of our major
competitors have substantial legacy costs
(principally related to employee benefits) that put each of us
at a competitive disadvantage to other competitors. The
bankruptcy or insolvency of a major competitor with substantial
legacy costs could result in that competitor gaining
a significant cost advantage (by eliminating or reducing
contractual obligations to unions and other parties through
bankruptcy proceedings). In addition, the bankruptcy or
insolvency of a major U.S. auto manufacturer likely could
lead to substantial disruptions in the automotive supply base,
which could have a substantial adverse impact on our results of
operations and financial condition.
Economic distress of suppliers that has in the past and
may in the future require us to provide financial support or
take other measures to ensure supplies of components or
materials. Automobile manufacturers continue to
experience commodity cost pressures and the effects of industry
overcapacity. These factors have also increased pressure on the
industrys supply base, as suppliers cope with higher
commodity costs, lower production volumes and other challenges.
We have taken and may continue to take actions to provide
financial assistance to certain suppliers to
S-11
ensure an uninterrupted supply of materials and components. Most
significantly, in 2005 we reacquired from Visteon twenty-three
North American facilities in order to protect our supply of
components. In connection with this transaction, we forgave
$1.1 billion of Visteons liability to us for
employee-related costs, and incurred a pre-tax loss of
$468 million.
Work stoppages at Ford or supplier facilities or other
interruptions of supplies. A work stoppage could occur
at Ford or supplier facilities, most likely as a result of
disputes under existing collective bargaining agreements with
labor unions, or in connection with negotiations of new
collective bargaining agreements. A dispute under an existing
collective bargaining agreement could arise, for example, as a
result of efforts to implement restructuring actions, such as
those that are part of the Way Forward plan discussed under
Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview in our Annual Report incorporated by reference
herein. A work stoppage for this or other reasons at Ford or its
suppliers, or an interruption or shortage of supplies for any
reason (e.g., financial distress, natural disaster or production
difficulties affecting a supplier), if protracted, could
substantially adversely affect our results of operations and
financial condition.
Single-source supply of components or materials.
Some components used in our vehicles (e.g., certain engines) are
available from a single supplier and cannot be quickly or
inexpensively re-sourced to another supplier due to long lead
times and contractual commitments that might be required by
another supplier in order to provide the component or materials.
In addition to the risks described above regarding interruption
of supplies, which are exacerbated in the case of single-source
suppliers, the exclusive supplier of a key component potentially
could exert significant bargaining power over price, quality,
warranty claims or other terms relating to a component.
Labor or other constraints on our ability to restructure
our business. Substantially all of the hourly employees
in our Automotive operations in the United States and Canada are
represented by unions and covered by collective bargaining
agreements. Our agreement with the United Automobile Workers
(which expires in September 2007) and our agreement with
the Canadian Automobile Workers (which expires in September
2008) provide for guaranteed wage and benefit levels
throughout their terms and provide for significant employment
security. As a practical matter, these agreements restrict our
ability to eliminate product lines, close plants, and divest
businesses during the terms of the agreements. These agreements
may also limit our ability to change local work rules and
practices to encourage flexible manufacturing and other
efficiency-related improvements. Accordingly, these agreements
may impede our ability to successfully implement and complete
the Way Forward plan. For discussion of the Way Forward plan,
see Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview in our Annual Report incorporated by reference
herein.
Worse-than-assumed
economic and demographic experience for our postretirement
benefit plans (e.g., discount rates, investment returns, health
care cost trends). We sponsor plans to provide
postretirement pension, health care and life insurance benefits
for our retired employees. The measurement of our obligations,
costs and liabilities associated with these benefits requires
that we estimate the present values of projected future payments
to all participants. We use many assumptions in calculating
these estimates, including discount rates, investment returns on
designated plan assets, health care cost trends, and demographic
experience (e.g., mortality and retirement rates). To the extent
that actual results are less favorable than our assumptions
there could be a substantial adverse impact on our results of
operations and financial condition. For additional discussion of
these assumptions, see Item 7. Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations in our Annual Report and Item 2.
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations in our Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
the quarter ended September 30, 2006, each incorporated by
reference herein.
The discovery of defects in vehicles resulting in delays
in new model launches, recall campaigns or increased warranty
costs. Meeting or exceeding many government-mandated
safety standards is costly, especially where standards may
conflict with the need to reduce vehicle weight in
S-12
order to meet government-mandated emissions and fuel-economy
standards. Government safety standards also require
manufacturers to remedy defects related to motor vehicle safety
through safety recall campaigns, and a manufacturer is obligated
to recall vehicles if it determines that they do not comply with
a safety standard. Should we or government safety regulators
determine that a safety defect or a noncompliance exists with
respect to certain of our vehicles, the cost of such recall
campaigns could be substantial.
Increased safety, emissions, fuel economy or other (e.g.,
pension funding) regulation resulting in higher costs, cash
expenditures,
and/or sales
restrictions. The worldwide automotive industry is
governed by a substantial number of governmental regulations,
which often differ by state, region and country. In the United
States and Europe, for example, governmental regulation has
arisen primarily out of concern for the environment, greater
vehicle safety and a desire for improved fuel economy. Many
governments regulate local product content
and/or
impose import requirements as a means of creating jobs,
protecting domestic producers and influencing their balance of
payments. The cost of complying with these requirements may be
substantial. Our ability to comply with Corporate Average Fuel
Economy (CAFE) or greenhouse gas emissions standards
depends heavily on the alignment of these standards with actual
consumer demand. If consumers demand vehicles that are
relatively large, have high performance,
and/or are
feature-laden while regulatory standards are skewed toward
vehicles that are smaller and more economical, compliance
becomes problematic. Moreover, if regulatory requirements call
for rapid, substantial increases in fleet average fuel economy
(or decreases in fleet average greenhouse gas emissions), the
Company may not have adequate resources and time to make major
product changes across most or all of its vehicle fleet. If
significant increases in CAFE standards are imposed beyond those
presently in effect or proposed, or if state greenhouse gas
regulations are not overturned, we may be forced to take various
costly actions that could have substantial adverse effects on
our sales volume and profits. For example, we may have to
curtail production of certain vehicles such as family-size,
luxury, and high-performance cars and full-size light-trucks;
restrict offerings of selected engines and popular options;
and/or
increase market support programs for our most fuel-efficient
cars and light-trucks in order to maintain compliance. See
Item 1. Governmental Standards in our Annual
Report incorporated by reference herein.
Unusual or significant litigation or governmental
investigations arising out of alleged defects in our products or
otherwise. We spend substantial resources ensuring
compliance with governmental safety and other standards.
However, compliance with governmental standards does not
necessarily prevent individual or class action lawsuits, which
can entail significant cost and risk. For example, the
preemptive effect of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
is often a contested issue in litigation, and some courts have
permitted liability findings even where our vehicles comply with
federal law. Furthermore, simply responding to litigation or
government investigations of our compliance with regulatory
standards requires significant expenditures of time and other
resources.
A change in our requirements for parts or materials where
we have entered into long-term supply arrangements that commit
us to purchase minimum or fixed quantities of certain parts or
materials, or to pay a minimum amount to the seller
(take-or-pay
contracts). We have entered into a number of
long-term supply contracts that require us to purchase a fixed
quantity of parts to be used in the production of our vehicles.
If our need for any of these parts were to lessen, we could
still be required to purchase a specified quantity of the part
or pay a minimum amount to the seller pursuant to the
take-or-pay
contract. We also have entered into a small number of long-term
supply contracts for raw materials (for example, precious metals
used in catalytic converters) that require us to purchase a
fixed percentage of mine output. If our need for any of these
raw materials were to lessen, or if a suppliers output of
materials were to increase, we could be required to purchase
more materials than we need.
Inability to access debt or securitization markets around
the world at competitive rates or in sufficient amounts due to
additional credit rating downgrades, unfavorable capital markets
conditions, insufficient collateral,
greater-than-expected
negative operating-related cash flow or otherwise.
Recent lowering of credit ratings for Ford and Ford Credit has
increased borrowing costs and caused Ford Credits access
to the unsecured debt markets to become more restricted. In
S-13
response, Ford Credit has increased its use of securitization
and other sources of liquidity. Over time, and particularly in
the event of any further credit rating downgrades or a
significant decline in the demand for the types of securities it
offers, Ford Credit may need to reduce the amount of receivables
it purchases. A significant reduction in the amount of purchased
receivables would significantly reduce ongoing profits and could
adversely affect Ford Credits ability to support the sale
of Ford vehicles. For additional discussion, see
Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Liquidity and Capital Resources in our Annual Report and
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Liquidity and Capital Resources in our Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, each incorporated
by reference herein.
Higher-than-expected
credit losses. Credit risk is the possibility of loss
from a customers or dealers failure to make payments
according to contract terms. Credit risk (which is heavily
dependent upon economic factors including unemployment, consumer
debt service burden, personal income growth, dealer
profitability and used car prices) has a significant impact on
Ford Credits business. The level of credit losses Ford
Credit may experience could exceed its expectations. For
additional discussion regarding credit losses, see
Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Critical Accounting Estimates in our Annual Report
incorporated by reference herein.
Increased competition from banks or other financial
institutions seeking to increase their share of financing Ford
vehicles. No single company is a dominant force in the
automotive finance industry. Some of Ford Credits bank
competitors in the United States have developed credit
aggregation systems that permit dealers to send, through a
single standard system, retail credit applications to multiple
finance sources to evaluate financing options offered by these
finance sources. This process has resulted in greater
competition based on financing rates. In addition, Ford Credit
is facing increased competition from banks on wholesale
financing for Ford dealers. Competition from such competitors
may increase, which could adversely affect Ford Credits
profitability and the volume of its business.
Changes in interest rates. Ford Credit is exposed
to interest rate risk, and the particular market to which it is
most exposed is U.S. dollar LIBOR. Ford Credits
interest rate risk exposure results principally from
re-pricing risk, or differences in the re-pricing
characteristics of assets and liabilities. Any inability to
adequately control this exposure could adversely affect its
business. For additional discussion of interest rate risk, see
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures
about Market Risk in our Annual Report and
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures
about Market Risk in our Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, each incorporated
by reference herein.
Collection and servicing problems related to finance
receivables and net investment in operating leases.
After Ford Credit purchases retail installment sale contracts
and leases from dealers and other customers, it manages or
services the receivables. Any disruption of its servicing
activity, due to inability to access or accurately maintain
customer account records or otherwise, could have a significant
negative impact on its ability to collect on those receivables
and/or
satisfy its customers.
Lower-than-anticipated
residual values or
higher-than-expected
return volumes for leased vehicles. Ford Credit projects
expected residual values (including residual value support
payments from Ford) of the vehicles it leases.
Actual proceeds realized by Ford Credit upon the sale of
returned leased vehicles at lease termination may be lower than
the amount projected, which reduces the profitability of the
lease transaction. Among the factors that can affect the value
of returned lease vehicles are the volume of vehicles returned,
economic conditions, and the quality or perceived quality,
safety or reliability of the vehicles. All of these, alone or in
combination, have the potential to adversely affect Ford
Credits profitability. For additional discussion regarding
residual value, see Item 7. Managements
Discussion
S-14
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations Critical Accounting Estimates in
our Annual Report incorporated by reference herein.
New or increased credit, consumer or data protection or
other regulations resulting in higher costs
and/or
additional financing restrictions. As a finance company,
Ford Credit is highly regulated by governmental authorities in
the locations where it operates. In the United States, its
operations are subject to regulation, supervision and licensing
under various federal, state and local laws and regulations,
including the federal
Truth-in-Lending
Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Fair Credit Reporting Act.
In some countries outside the United States, Ford Credits
subsidiaries are regulated banking institutions and are
required, among other things, to maintain minimum capital
reserves. In many other locations, governmental authorities
require companies to have licenses in order to conduct financing
businesses. Efforts to comply with these laws and regulations
impose significant costs on Ford Credit, and affect the conduct
of its business. Additional regulation could add significant
cost or operational constraints that might impair its
profitability.
Inability to implement the Way Forward plan. We
believe that our ability to implement the Way Forward plan is
very important to our future success. Any of the above or other
factors that prevent us from executing the Way Forward plan
ultimately could have a substantially adverse impact on our
business. For additional discussion of the Way Forward plan, see
Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview in our Annual Report incorporated by reference
herein.
As a result of an internal review and related restatement
of our financial statements, we are subject to informal
inquiries by the SEC. FMCC became aware of a matter
related to accounting for interest rate swaps under Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended
(SFAS 133). Specifically, FMCC discovered that
certain interest rate swaps it had entered into to hedge the
interest rate risk inherent in certain long-term fixed rate debt
were accounted for incorrectly because they did not satisfy the
technical accounting rules under SFAS 133 to qualify for
exemption from the more strict effectiveness testing
requirements. On October 23, 2006, we filed a
Form 8-K
under Item 4.02 to disclose that our prior financial
statements should no longer be relied upon because of the
incorrect application of SFAS 133. Following that, we filed
an amended Annual Report on
Form 10-K/A
for the year ended December 31, 2005, amended Quarterly
Reports on
Form 10-Q/A
for the quarters ended March 31, 2006 and June 30,
2006 and a Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 2006. These filings
restated the previously filed financial statements included
therein and related financial information to account properly
for these interest rate swaps.
Subsequent to the original publication of the financial
statements for each period that was restated as described above,
we identified adjustments that should have been recorded in
these earlier periods. Upon identification, we determined these
adjustments to be immaterial, individually and in the aggregate,
to our originally-filed financial statements, and generally
recognized these adjustments
(out-of-period
adjustments) in the period in which they were identified.
Because we were otherwise restating our financial statements and
related information as described above, we also reversed these
out-of-period
adjustments and recorded them in the proper periods.
We have received informal inquiries from the Division of
Corporation Finance and the Division of Enforcement of the
Securities and Exchange Commission requesting additional
information regarding the disclosures in the
Form 8-K
and amended
Form 10-K
and
Form 10-Qs
described above. We are cooperating fully with these inquiries.
As a result of the inquiries, we may be required to amend these
or other prior filings, including with respect to our
characterization of, and disclosure relating to, the
out-of-period
adjustments. Further, we could be subject to sanctions or other
penalties.
S-15
Risks relating to the Notes and this Offering
We expect operating-related cash flow to be negative by a
substantial amount for the near- to medium-term. As a result, we
may not be able to service our indebtedness, including the
notes, the new senior secured credit facilities and other
obligations. For the fourth quarter of 2006, we expect
operating-related cash outflows of about $3 billion and
restructuring cash expenditures of between $500 million and
$1 billion. During the period 2007 through 2009, we expect
cumulative operating-related cash outflows of about
$10 billion for our automotive sector and cumulative cash
expenditures for restructuring actions of about $7 billion.
More than half of this $17 billion cash outflow is expected
to occur in 2007. This cash outflow primarily reflects
substantial operating losses in our automotive sector through
2008, and cash expenditures incurred in connection with
personnel separations. It also reflects our expectation to
continue to invest in new products throughout this period at
about the same level as we have during the past few years, or
approximately $7 billion annually.
Future borrowings may not be available to us under our new
senior secured credit facilities or otherwise in amounts
sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness, including the
notes, and to fund our other liquidity needs. If we are not able
to generate the expected cash flow due to an unanticipated event
such as lower unit sales volumes (resulting from an economic
recession or otherwise), work stoppages, supplier issues or
otherwise or if we are unable to borrow under our new senior
secured credit facilities or otherwise for these purposes, we
may need to refinance or restructure all or a portion of our
indebtedness, including the notes, on or before maturity, reduce
or delay capital investments or seek to raise additional
capital. We may not be able to implement one or more of these
alternatives on terms acceptable to us, or at all. The terms of
our existing or future debt agreements may restrict us from
pursuing any of these alternatives. Should our cash flow be
worse than anticipated or we fail to achieve any of these
alternatives, this could materially adversely affect the value
of the notes and our ability to repay them.
The closing of the new senior secured credit facilities is
not a condition precedent to the issuance of the notes.
The offering of these notes is not conditioned upon either the
entering into the new senior secured credit facilities or
availability of a minimum aggregate principal amount under the
facilities. As a result, should either the amount available
under the new senior secured credit facilities be less than
currently anticipated or should we fail to close on the
facilities and our existing global bilateral revolving credit
facilities totaling approximately $6.3 billion provide
insufficient liquidity, this could materially adversely affect
the value of the notes and our ability to repay them.
Our substantial level of indebtedness could adversely
affect our financial condition and prevent us from fulfilling
our obligations under the notes and our other indebtedness,
including indebtedness outstanding under our new senior secured
credit facilities. In addition, we may still be able to incur
substantially more debt, including secured debt. After
giving effect to the Financing Transactions, we will be a highly
leveraged company. On a pro forma basis after giving effect to
the Financing Transactions as if they had occurred as of
September 30, 2006, we and our subsidiaries (other than our
financial services sector, including FMCC) would have had
approximately $29.2 billion of indebtedness, including
$7.0 billion of secured indebtedness under our new senior
secured credit facilities, $0.3 billion of existing secured
indebtedness, and $2.2 billion of additional unsecured
indebtedness of our subsidiaries that would be structurally
senior to the notes.
As of September 30, 2006, on a pro forma basis after giving
effect to the Financing Transactions, we expect we would have
had between $10.5 billion and $11.5 billion, which
amount may change at closing or thereafter based on market
conditions and other factors, available for additional
borrowings under the new senior secured credit facilities, all
of which would be secured. Additionally, the new senior secured
credit facilities will permit us to incur a significant amount
of additional first lien pari passu secured debt and
second lien secured debt and an unlimited amount of unsecured
debt and the terms of the indenture will not limit the amount of
additional indebtedness we may incur in the future, including
secured indebtedness and indebtedness that is structurally
senior to the notes. See Description of Notes and
Description of Other Indebtedness Senior
Secured Credit Facilities.
S-16
In addition, FMCC has significant on-balance and off-balance
sheet obligations relating to its securitization programs. For a
discussion of our on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet
securitization programs, see Note 13 Sales of
Receivables Financial Services Sector,
Note 7 Sales of Receivables Financial
Services Sector, Item 7. Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations Liquidity and Capital Resources in
our Annual Report and Item 2. Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations Liquidity and Capital Resources in
our Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, each incorporated
by reference herein.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2005 and the nine
months ended September 30, 2006, we and our subsidiaries
(other than our financial services sector, including FMCC) had
interest expense of approximately $1.2 billion and
$0.6 billion, respectively. We expect that following the
Financing Transactions, this interest expense will increase
substantially. Our ability to make payments on our debt and to
fund operations and significant planned capital expenditures
will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future.
Our significant debt service obligations could have important
consequences to you, including the following:
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our high level of indebtedness could make it difficult for us to
satisfy our obligations with respect to our outstanding
indebtedness, including the notes;
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our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital,
capital expenditures, acquisitions, if any, or general corporate
purposes may be impaired;
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we must use a substantial portion of our cash flow from
operations to pay interest on the notes and the new senior
secured credit facilities and other outstanding indebtedness,
which will reduce the funds available to us for operations and
other purposes; and
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our high level of indebtedness makes us more vulnerable to
economic downturns and adverse developments in our business.
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The more leveraged we become, the more we, and in turn the
holders of our indebtedness, become exposed to the risks
described herein.
Our substantial pension and postretirement healthcare and
life insurance liabilities could impair our liquidity and
financial condition. We have two principal qualified
defined benefit retirement plans in the United States that
provide noncontributory benefits to employees. Certain of our
U.S. and
non-U.S. subsidiaries
have separate similar noncontributory plans that generally
provide similar types of benefits for their employees. As of
December 31, 2005, the unfunded status of U.S. plans
and
non-U.S. plans
was approximately $1.7 billion and $8.8 billion,
respectively. As of December 31, 2005, our U.S. plans
and
non-U.S. plans
were 96% funded and 71% funded, respectively. In addition, we,
and certain of our subsidiaries, sponsor plans to provide
selected health care and life insurance benefits for retired
employees. As of December 31, 2005, the unfunded status of
our postretirement health care and life insurance plans was
$32.8 billion.
Our U.S. defined benefit pension plans are subject to
Title IV of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, or ERISA. Under Title IV of ERISA, the Pension
Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or PBGC, has the authority under
certain circumstances or upon the occurrence of certain events
to terminate an underfunded pension plan. One of those
circumstances is the occurrence of an event that unreasonably
increases the risk of unreasonably large losses to the PBGC.
Although we believe that it is not likely that the PBGC will
terminate any of our plans, in the event our U.S. pension
plans were to be terminated at a time when the liabilities of
the plans exceeded the assets of the plans, we would incur a
liability to the PBGC that may be equal to the entire amount of
the underfunding. The PBGC in that instance would have a claim
against us and each of our 80%-owned subsidiaries for the full
amount of the terminated plans underfunded benefit
liabilities. This liability is joint and several, and the
PBGCs claim would be secured by a lien that attaches to
the assets of the plan sponsor and its controlled group. The
lien arises automatically by operation of law, and any lien
placed on our and
S-17
our subsidiaries assets by the PBGC would be a first
priority lien to the extent that no other party had previously
perfected a security interest in such assets. As such, any of
such subsidiaries, could potentially be liable for the full
amount of any PBGC lien. As a result, if one of our pension
plans were to be involuntarily terminated by the PBGC, and a
PBGC lien were placed on our assets and those of such
subsidiaries, the notes would be effectively subordinated to the
extent of the value of the assets subject to the PBGCs
lien.
If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund
our pension and postretirement healthcare and life insurance
obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay investments and
capital expenditures, seek additional capital or restructure or
refinance our indebtedness, including the notes. In addition, if
our operating results and available cash are insufficient to
meet our pension and postretirement healthcare and life
insurance obligations, we could face substantial liquidity
problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or
operations to meet our pension and postretirement healthcare and
life insurance obligations. We may not be able to consummate
those dispositions or to obtain the proceeds that we could
realize from them, and these proceeds may not be adequate to
meet any pension and postretirement healthcare and life
insurance obligations then due.
The notes will be effectively subordinated to the
liabilities and preferred stock, if any, of all of our
subsidiaries. This may affect your ability to receive payments
on the notes. The notes are obligations exclusively of
Ford and will not be guaranteed by any of our subsidiaries. We
conduct a significant portion of our operations through our
subsidiaries. During the fiscal year ended December 31,
2005, our subsidiaries (other than our financial services
sector, including FMCC) generated approximately 58% of our
consolidated revenues. Our subsidiaries (other than our
financial services sector, including FMCC) also have significant
liabilities, including debt obligations of approximately
$2.5 billion for money borrowed from third parties as of
September 30, 2006 (excluding guarantees under our new
senior secured credit facilities). In addition, as of
September 30, 2006, our financial services sector also has
significant liabilities, including debt obligations of
approximately $136.7 billion for money borrowed from third
parties, including $134.5 billion of consolidated
indebtedness of FMCC. Our cash flow and our ability to service
our debt, including the notes, depend to an important extent
upon the earnings of our subsidiaries, and the distribution of
earnings, loans or other payments by those subsidiaries to us.
Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities. Our
subsidiaries have no obligation to pay any amounts due on the
notes or, subject to existing or future contractual obligations
between us and our subsidiaries, to provide us with funds for
our payment obligations, whether by dividends, distributions,
loans or other payments. In addition, any payment of dividends,
distributions, loans or advances by our subsidiaries to us could
be subject to statutory or contractual restrictions and taxes on
distributions. Payments to us by our subsidiaries will also be
contingent upon our subsidiaries earnings and other
business considerations. Beginning in 2007, FMCC will suspend
making regular dividend payments to us.
Our right to receive any assets of any of our subsidiaries upon
liquidation or reorganization, and, as a result, the right of
the holders of the notes to participate in those assets, will be
effectively subordinated to the claims of that subsidiarys
creditors, including trade creditors and any underfunded
obligations under our pension plans. The notes do not restrict
the ability of our subsidiaries to incur additional liabilities.
We may not be able to satisfy our obligations to holders
of the notes upon a change in control. We may not be
able to fulfill our repurchase obligations in the event of a
change in control. If we experience certain specific change in
control events, you will have the right to require us to
repurchase in cash all outstanding notes at 100% of the
principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest
to the date of repurchase. Any change in control is also
expected to constitute a default under our new senior secured
credit facilities. Therefore, upon the occurrence of a change in
control, the lenders under our new senior secured credit
facilities would have the right to accelerate their loans and we
would be required to prepay all of our outstanding obligations
under the new senior
S-18
secured credit facilities. We may not have available funds
sufficient to pay the change in control purchase price for any
or all of the notes that might be delivered by holders of the
notes seeking to require us to repurchase their notes.
The make-whole premium that may be payable upon a
designated event may not adequately compensate you for the lost
option time value of your notes as a result of such designated
event. If you convert notes in connection with a
designated event we may be required to provide a make-whole
premium by increasing the conversion rate applicable to your
notes, as described under Description of Notes
Conversion Rights Adjustment to Conversion Rate upon
a Designated Event. While these increases in the
applicable conversion rate are designed to compensate you for
the lost option time value of your notes as a result of a
designated event, such increases are only an approximation of
such lost value and may not adequately compensate you for such
loss. Our obligation to increase the conversion rate could be
considered a penalty, in which case the enforceability of this
obligation would be subject to general principles of
reasonableness of economic remedies.
The change in control or designated event purchase feature
of the notes may delay or prevent an otherwise beneficial
attempt to take over our company. The terms of the notes
require us to repurchase the notes in the event of a change in
control or a designated event. A takeover of our company may
trigger the requirement that we repurchase the notes. In
addition, a change of control would constitute an event of
default under our new senior secured credit facilities. The
terms of the notes and the new senior secured credit facilities
may have the effect of delaying or preventing a takeover of our
company that would otherwise be beneficial to investors.
There is no established trading market for the notes, and
you may not be able to sell them quickly or at the price that
you paid. The notes are a new issue of securities for
which there is currently no public market. The notes will not be
listed on any securities exchange or included in any automated
quotation system. We do not know whether an active trading
market will develop for the notes. Although the underwriters
have informed us that they intend to make a market in the notes,
they are under no obligation to do so and may discontinue any
market making activities at any time without notice.
Accordingly, no market for the notes may develop, and any market
that develops may not last.
Even if a trading market for the notes does develop, you may not
be able to sell your notes at a particular time, if at all, or
you may not be able to obtain the price you desire for your
notes. If the notes are traded after their initial issuance,
they may trade at a discount from their initial offering price
depending on many factors including prevailing interest rates,
the price of our common stock, the market for similar
securities, our credit rating, the interest of securities
dealers in making a market for the notes, the price of any other
securities we issue and the performance prospects and financial
condition of our company as well as of other companies in our
industry.
Because your right to require our repurchase of the notes
is limited, the market prices of the notes may decline if we
enter into a transaction that does not require us to repurchase
the notes under the indenture. The circumstances upon
which we are required to repurchase the notes are limited and
may not include every event that might cause the market prices
of the notes to decline or result in a downgrade of the credit
rating of the notes. Our obligation to repurchase the notes upon
a change in control or designated event may not preserve the
value of the notes in the event of a highly leveraged
transaction, reorganization, merger or similar transaction. See
Description of Notes Repurchase at the Option
of Holders.
In certain circumstances we are required to pay the
repurchase price for the notes in shares of our common stock,
which may expose you to market risk at the time of
repurchase. The terms of the notes require us to
repurchase the notes in the event of a designated event that is
not a change in control with shares of our common stock (or the
consideration into which our shares of common stock are
converted in connection with such event). The number of shares
we are required to deliver will be based on the current market
price of our shares of common stock (or the value of such other
consideration) at such time, subject to a minimum price. If our
stock price at the time of repurchase is below the minimum, then
the value of the shares we are obligated to deliver will
S-19
be less than the repurchase price for the notes. In addition,
because the closing price of our common stock will be determined
over a period of time prior to the repurchase date, holders of
notes will bear the market risk that our shares of common stock
will decline in value prior to the repurchase date. See
Description of Notes Repurchase upon a
Designated Event or Change in Control.
Holders of the notes are not entitled to any rights with
respect to our common stock, but are subject to all changes made
with respect to our common stock. If you hold notes, you
are not entitled to any rights with respect to our common stock
(including, without limitation, voting rights and rights to
receive any dividends or other distributions on our common
stock), but you are subject to all changes to our common stock
that might be adopted by the holders of our common stock to
curtail or eliminate any of the powers, preferences or special
rights of our common stock, or impose new restrictions or
qualifications upon our common stock. You will only be entitled
to rights on the common stock if and when we deliver shares of
common stock to you upon conversion of your notes. For example,
in the event that an amendment is proposed to our articles of
incorporation or bylaws requiring shareholder approval and the
record date for determining the shareholders of record entitled
to vote on the amendment occurs prior to delivery of the common
stock upon conversion of your notes, you will not be entitled to
vote on the amendment, though you will nevertheless be subject
to any changes in the powers, preferences or special rights of
our common stock.
The conversion rate of the notes will not be adjusted for
all potentially dilutive events. The conversion rate of
the notes is subject to adjustment for certain events, including
but not limited to the issuance of stock dividends on our common
stock; the issuance of rights or warrants; subdivisions;
combinations; distributions of capital stock, indebtedness or
assets; cash dividends and certain issuer tender or exchange
offers as described under Description of Notes
Conversion Rights Conversion Rate Adjustments.
The conversion rate will not be adjusted for other events, such
as a third party tender or exchange offer or an issuance of
common stock for cash, that may adversely affect the trading
price of the notes or the common stock. Additionally, except in
certain cases, the conversion rate may not be increased above a
specified maximum as described under Description of
Notes Conversion Rights Conversion Rate
Adjustments. There can be no assurance that an event that
adversely affects the value of the notes, but does not result in
an adjustment to the conversion rate, will not occur.
The significant number of shares of our common stock
issuable upon conversion of the notes and our existing
convertible trust preferred securities could adversely affect
the trading prices of our common stock and, as a result, the
value of the notes. As of September 30, 2006, we
had outstanding convertible trust preferred securities
convertible into approximately 282,490,000 shares of our
common stock at a conversion price of $17.70 per share, subject
to adjustment. In addition, the notes will be convertible into
approximately 489,130,650 shares, or, if the underwriters
exercise in full their over-allotment option,
538,043,715 shares, subject to adjustment. In addition, in
certain circumstances upon a change in control or designated
event we may be required to deliver significantly more shares of
our common stock upon conversion of the notes or to satisfy our
obligation to repurchase the notes. Conversion of the
convertible trust preferred securities
and/or the
notes and the sale in the market of stock issued upon conversion
or the perception that the securities and notes will be
converted could depress the market price of our common stock
and, as a result, the value of the notes. In addition, the price
of our common stock could be adversely affected by possible
sales, including short sales, of our common stock by investors
in our notes and convertible trust preferred securities who
engage in hedging and arbitrage activities.
If we pay a cash dividend on our common stock, you may be
deemed to have received a taxable dividend without the receipt
of any cash. If we pay a cash dividend on our common
stock, an adjustment to the conversion rate may result, and you
may be deemed to have received a taxable dividend subject to
United States federal income tax without the receipt of any
cash. If you are a
non-U.S. holder
(as defined in Certain United States Federal Income and
Estate Tax Considerations), such deemed dividend may be
subject to United States federal withholding tax at a 30% rate
or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable treaty.
See Certain United States Federal Income and Estate Tax
Considerations.
S-20
USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate that the net proceeds of this offering, excluding
expected expenses, will be approximately $4,410,000,000, and
together with the expected initial borrowings of
$7.0 billion under our new senior secured credit facilities
will be approximately $11,410,000,000. We expect to use the net
proceeds from both this offering and borrowings under our new
senior secured credit facilities for general corporate purposes,
including to fund a portion of our substantial negative
operating-related cash flow and to pay restructuring costs
expected to be incurred in the future. See Risk
Factors Risks relating to the Notes and this
Offering We expect our operating-related cash flow
to be negative by a substantial amount for the near- to
medium-term. As a result, we may not be able to service our
indebtedness, including the notes, the new senior secured credit
facilities and other obligations.
S-21
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and
capitalization as of September 30, 2006 (excluding our
financial services sector, which includes FMCC):
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on an actual basis;
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on an as adjusted basis to give effect to this offering (and
assuming no exercise of the over-allotment option); and
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on an as further adjusted basis to give effect to this offering
and the initial borrowings under our new senior secured credit
facilities.
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You should read the information set forth in the table below in
conjunction with Summary Summary Consolidated
Financial Data, Use of Proceeds and our
audited and unaudited financial statements and the accompanying
notes incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.
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As of September 30, 2006
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As Further Adjusted
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for Borrowings
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Under Our New
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As Adjusted for
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Senior Secured
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Actual
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this Offering
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Credit Facilities
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(dollar amounts in billions)
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Cash and cash equivalents(1)
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$
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23.6
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$
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28.1
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$
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35.1
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Debt obligations (including
current portion):
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Existing long term secured
indebtedness
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$
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0.3
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$
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0.3
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$
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0.3
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New senior secured credit
facilities:(2)
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Revolving credit facility
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Term loan B facility
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7.0
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Notes offered hereby
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4.5
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4.5
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Existing senior unsecured
indebtedness (including current portion)(3)
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12.2
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12.2
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12.2
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Existing unsecured subordinated
indebtedness
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5.2
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5.2
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5.2
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Total debt
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$
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17.7
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$
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22.2
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$
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29.2
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Total stockholders equity
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9.2
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9.2
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9.2
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Total Capitalization
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$
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26.9
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$
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31.4
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$
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38.4
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(1)
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Includes cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities,
loaned securities, and short-term VEBA assets. The as adjusted
amounts do not reflect the fees and expenses that we expect to
incur in connection with this offering and entering into the new
senior secured credit facilities.
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(2)
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We intend to enter into new senior secured credit facilities
consisting of (i) a revolving credit facility of between
$10.5 billion and $11.5 billion with a five-year
maturity, which amount may change at closing or thereafter based
on market conditions and other factors, and (ii) a
$7.0 billion term loan B facility with a seven-year
maturity. We will draw down the entire term loan B facility
upon the closing of the new senior secured credit facilities,
and do not expect to initially have any outstanding borrowings
under the revolving credit facility at the time of closing of
the Financing Transactions. We intend to enter into the new
senior secured credit facilities substantially concurrently with
the closing of the offering of the notes. However, this offering
is not conditioned upon the closing of the new senior secured
credit facilities. See Description of Other
Indebtedness.
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(3)
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Following the closing of the Financing Transactions, we estimate
that we will have commitments under existing unsecured bilateral
credit facilities of approximately $1.2 billion.
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S-22
DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS
Bilateral Revolving Credit Agreements
We have existing global bilateral revolving credit facilities
with various financial institutions totalling approximately
$6.3 billion. We expect that most of these bilateral
revolving credit facilities will be terminated concurrently with
entering into the new senior secured credit facilities described
below with the lenders party thereto expected to agree to
provide commitments under the new senior secured credit
facilities. In the event any existing lender does not agree to
provide commitments under the new senior secured credit
facilities, the applicable bilateral revolving credit facility
will remain in full force and effect. We currently estimate
that, following the consummation of the Financing Transactions,
we would continue to have commitments under the existing
unsecured bilateral credit facilities of approximately $1.2
billion. A majority of these commitments will terminate in 2008.
Senior Secured Credit Facilities
Substantially concurrently with the closing of this offering of
the notes, we intend to enter into new senior secured credit
facilities with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative
agent, the other agents named therein and each lender party
thereto. We may designate certain of our domestic and foreign
subsidiaries, including FMCC, as borrowers under the revolving
facility. We and certain of our existing domestic subsidiaries
will be guarantors under the new senior secured credit
facilities, and future material domestic subsidiaries will
become guarantors when formed or acquired. This offering is not
conditioned upon the closing of the new senior secured credit
facilities.
The new senior secured credit facilities are expected to include
a seven-year term loan with an aggregate principal amount of
$7 billion, which will be drawn in a single drawing on the
closing date. The new senior secured credit facilities are also
expected to include a five-year revolving credit facility, with
an aggregate amount of between $10.5 billion and
$11.5 billion, which amount may change at closing or
thereafter based on market conditions and other factors. The
revolving credit facilities are not expected to be drawn as of
the closing date, but may be drawn upon at any time subject to
satisfying certain conditions. Up to $2 billion of the
revolving credit facility will be available in the form of
letters of credit or bank guarantees. Availability under the
revolving credit facility is subject to compliance with a
borrowing base and available liquidity covenants. The borrowing
base covenant requires that the total outstanding debt secured
by the collateral on a first lien pari passu basis not
exceed the borrowing base value of that collateral. Under
specified terms and conditions, including compliance with a pro
forma borrowing base ratio and certain other covenants, Ford
will be permitted to add one or more first lien pari passu
incremental secured term loan facilities, increase
commitments under the revolving facility, add an additional
first lien pari passu secured revolving credit or term
loan facility or issue first lien pari passu secured
notes pursuant to an indenture, up to an aggregate of
$2 billion in principal amount if Ford pledges its
ownership interest in Mazda as additional collateral for the
first lien pari passu indebtedness or to the extent Ford
permanently reduces commitments under the revolving credit
facility or voluntarily repays the principal outstanding under
the term loan facility, in either case on a dollar for dollar
basis. In addition, pursuant to specified terms and conditions,
Ford will be permitted to add second lien debt up to an
aggregate of $4 billion in principal amount.
Maturity of Loans. The revolving credit
facility will mature in December 2011. We may request one-year
or two-year extensions of the maturity date of the revolving
credit facility, which extensions are subject to the consent of
a majority of revolving credit lenders. The commitment of any
lender that does not consent to a requested extension will
terminate at the maturity date for the revolving facility in
effect immediately prior to such extension. We may also choose
to terminate the commitments and prepay loans of non-extending
lenders or replace such lenders. The term loan requires equal
quarterly amortization payments in aggregate annual amounts
equal to 1% of its original principal amount, with the balance
payable on the final maturity date in December 2013.
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Interest Rates. The term loans and revolving
loans denominated in U.S. dollars will bear interest at a
rate per annum equal to either a customary base rate or the
London interbank rate for dollars at our option, in each case,
plus an applicable margin to be agreed. Revolving loans (or
acceptances) denominated in Canadian dollars will bear interest
at a customary Canadian base rate plus an applicable margin to
be agreed. Applicable margins for all revolving loans will be
adjusted over time based on changes in our secured debt ratings.
Prepayments. We will be required to offer to
prepay the term loan borrowings under the new senior secured
credit facilities and offer to prepay any outstanding pari
passu notes on a pro rata basis pursuant to mandatory
prepayments relating to certain specified asset sales by us and
specific incurrences of debt by certain of our material
subsidiaries (or certain equity offerings, in the case of FMCC).
Voluntary prepayments of the term loan borrowings under the new
senior secured facilities are permitted subject to a two year
no-call period and the following prepayment premiums: 2.00% for
prepayments after the second anniversary of the new senior
secured facilities but on or prior to the third anniversary, and
1.00% for prepayments after the third anniversary but on or
prior to the fourth anniversary.
Guarantees. We and certain of our designated
domestic and foreign subsidiaries are borrowers under the new
senior secured credit facilities. We and certain of our domestic
subsidiaries that constitute a substantial portion of our
domestic automotive assets (excluding cash) at closing, will
cross-guarantee each borrowers obligations under the new
senior secured credit facilities.
Security. The obligations of Ford, the
borrowers and the guarantors under the new senior secured credit
facilities, along with obligations arising under certain hedging
agreements, cash management obligations and additional pari
passu secured indebtedness referenced above, will be secured
by a substantial portion of our domestic automotive assets
(excluding cash and subject to limitations set forth in our
existing public indentures). The collateral includes our
principal domestic manufacturing facilities, excluding
facilities to be closed and subject to limitations set forth in
existing public indentures; domestic accounts receivable,
domestic inventory and up to $4 billion of marketable
securities or cash proceeds therefrom; 100% of the stock of our
principal domestic subsidiaries, including FMCC (but excluding
the assets of FMCC); certain intercompany notes of Volvo, Ford
Canada and Grupo Ford; 66% -100% of the stock of all major first
tier foreign subsidiaries; and certain domestic intellectual
property, including trademarks.
Representations and Warranties. The new senior
secured credit facilities will contain representations and
warranties with respect to, among others, the accuracy of
Fords most recent annual and quarterly financial
statements, the absence of a material adverse effect since the
filing of our Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the third quarter of 2006, corporate existence and power and
authority of borrowers and guarantors, enforceability of loan
documentation, no conflict with law or material contracts, no
material litigation, ownership of property (including
intellectual property), compliance with Federal reserve
regulations, ERISA and environmental laws, investment company
act and creation of security interests.
Affirmative Covenants. The new senior secured
credit facilities will contain affirmative covenants requiring
delivery of our financial statements and those of certain of our
subsidiaries, delivery of compliance and borrowing base
certificates and notices of default, maintenance of Fords
automotive business and corporate existence, maintenance of
insurance and delivery of certain future guarantees and
collateral.
Negative Covenants. The new senior secured
credit facilities will require on-going compliance with a
borrowing base covenant and contain other restrictive covenants
that limit, subject to certain exceptions, our ability to pay
dividends, make certain repurchases of equity or repay certain
of our material indebtedness prior to maturity, our ability and
the ability of the guarantors of the new senior secured credit
facilities to incur secured indebtedness, our ability to merge
or consolidate with another person or to grant liens on the
collateral for the new senior secured facilities, our ability
and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to complete
specified asset sales and the ability of our foreign
subsidiaries whose equity has been pledged as security for the
new senior secured facilities to incur
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indebtedness. Lenders under the new senior secured credit
facilities will also benefit from a negative pledge and sale
leaseback covenant corresponding to such covenants in our
existing senior unsecured notes.
Liquidity Covenant. The new senior secured
credit facilities contain a covenant requiring us to maintain a
minimum of $4.0 billion in the aggregate of domestic cash,
cash equivalents, loaned and marketable securities and
short-term VEBA assets.
Events of Default. The new senior secured
credit facilities contain the following events of default:
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failure to pay any principal when due, any interest or facility
fee for a period of 5 business days or any other amount for a
period of 30 days after notice;
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any representation or warranty is materially incorrect;
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failure to timely deliver quarterly or annual financial
statements, comply with the borrowing base covenant or the
minimum liquidity covenant for a period of 20 days or any
other covenant after notice and expiry of a 30 day grace
period;
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cross payment default to debt for borrowed money of Fords
or any significant guarantor of $1 billion or more;
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cross acceleration to the pari passu notes, if any, or
the debt for borrowed money of Fords or any significant
guarantor with an outstanding principal amount of
$1 billion or more;
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bankruptcy of us, any significant guarantor, FMCC, Volvo or Ford
Canada;
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U.S. judgments against us or any significant guarantor not
vacated, discharged, satisfied, stayed or bonded pending appeal
within 60 days, that involve a liability of either
(a) $100 million (or the foreign currency equivalent
thereof) or more, in the case of any single judgment or decree
or (b) $200 million (or the foreign currency
equivalent thereof) or more in the aggregate;
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change in control;
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invalidity of any material guarantee or any security interest
subject to a materiality threshold;
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occurrence of certain ERISA events.
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While the occurrence and continuance of an event of default will
restrict our and the other borrowers ability to borrow
under the revolving credit facility, the lenders will not be
permitted to exercise of rights or remedies against the
collateral unless the obligations under new the senior secured
credit facilities have been accelerated.
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DESCRIPTION OF NOTES
This description of the terms of the notes adds information
to the description of the general terms and provisions of the
debt securities in the accompanying prospectus. If this
description differs in any way from the description in the
accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the description in
this prospectus supplement. This description is only a summary
of certain terms of the indenture and supplemental indenture
referred to below, and does not purport to be complete. Those
documents, and not the descriptions, will define the rights of
the holders of the notes. Whenever particular defined terms of
the indenture and supplemental indenture are referred to herein,
such defined terms are incorporated by reference herein. For
purposes of this summary, the terms Ford,
we, us and our refer only to
Ford Motor Company and not to any of its subsidiaries, and
references to our common stock do not include our Class B
stock.
General
The notes will be issued under an indenture, dated as of
January 30, 2002, between us and The Bank of New York (as
successor trustee to JPMorgan Chase Bank), as amended and
supplemented, including the supplemental indenture relating to
the notes. The notes are part of the debt securities registered
by Ford in January 2002 to be issued on terms to be determined
at the time of sale. In addition to the notes offered hereby,
debt securities in the aggregate principal amount of
approximately $5.8 billion previously have been designated
for sale or have been sold under the registration statement to
which this prospectus supplement relates.
The notes will initially be limited to $4,500,000,000 aggregate
principal amount, or $4,950,000,000 if the underwriters exercise
in full their over-allotment option, as described on the cover
of this prospectus supplement, will be senior unsecured
obligations of Ford and will mature on December 15, 2036,
unless earlier converted or redeemed or repurchased by us.
The notes will bear interest from the date of initial issuance,
anticipated to be December 15, 2006, at the rate per annum
shown on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. Interest
will be payable on June 15 and December 15 of each year,
commencing June 15, 2007, to the persons in whose name the
notes are registered at the close of business on the June 1
or December 1, whether or not a business day, immediately
preceding the relevant interest payment date. Interest on the
notes will be computed on the basis of a
360-day year
comprised of twelve
30-day
months. If interest or principal is payable on a day that is not
a business day, we will make the payment on the next business
day, and no interest will accrue as a result of the delay in
payment. A business day is any day other than
a Saturday or Sunday or other day on which banking institutions
in New York, New York are authorized or obligated by law or
executive order to close.
The indenture does not contain any financial covenants. The
indenture contains covenants for the benefit of the holders of
the notes which, among other things, restrict our ability to:
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create liens on certain of our assets to secure other
indebtedness;
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engage in certain sale and leaseback transactions; or
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consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially of our
assets.
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Subject to our compliance with the limitation on liens covenant
provided for by the indenture, the indenture and the notes will
not limit the amount of debt we or any of our subsidiaries may
incur. In addition, the covenants described above are subject to
important exceptions and qualifications that are described in
this prospectus supplement under Certain
Covenants.
The indenture does not require us to maintain any sinking fund
or other reserves for the notes.
We or a third party may, to the extent permitted by applicable
law, at any time purchase notes in the open market, by tender at
any price or by private agreement. Any note that we purchase or
a third party purchases may, to the extent permitted by
applicable law, be re-issued or resold or may, at our
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or such third partys option, be surrendered to the trustee
for cancellation. Any notes surrendered for cancellation may not
be re-issued or resold and will be canceled promptly.
The notes are not subject to defeasance or covenant defeasance
prior to the Company electing to terminate conversion rights as
described below under Our Right to Terminate
Conversion Rights.
Ford may, without the consent of the holders of the notes, issue
additional notes having the same ranking and the same interest
rate, maturity, conversion rate and other terms as the notes.
Any additional notes will, together with the notes, constitute a
single series of the notes under the indenture. No additional
notes may be issued as part of the same series if an Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the notes.
Only registered holders of notes will have rights under the
indenture.
Ranking
The notes will be:
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our senior unsecured obligations;
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effectively junior to any existing or future secured debt,
including our obligations under our new senior secured credit
facilities, to the extent of the collateral securing such debt;
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equal in ranking to any existing or future unsecured senior debt;
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structurally subordinated to all existing and future liabilities
of our subsidiaries, including debt for borrowed money,
guarantees of our new senior secured credit facilities, trade
payables, lease commitments and pension and postretirement
healthcare and life insurance liabilities; and
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senior in right of payment to all our existing and future
subordinated debt, including $5.2 billion of our 6.50%
Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2032.
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As of September 30, 2006, we and our subsidiaries (other
than our financial services sector, including FMCC) had
approximately $17.7 billion of consolidated indebtedness. As of
September 30, 2006, after giving effect to the Financing
Transactions, our total outstanding debt (other than debt of our
financial services sector, including FMCC) would have been
approximately $29.2 billion, including $7.0 billion of
secured indebtedness under our new senior secured credit
facilities, $0.3 billion of existing secured indebtedness,
$2.2 billion of additional unsecured indebtedness of our
subsidiaries that would also have been structurally senior to
the notes, an additional $10.0 billion of unsecured
indebtedness that would have been pari passu with the
notes and $5.2 billion that would have been contractually
subordinated to the notes. In addition, as of September 30,
2006, we would have had undrawn commitments under our new senior
secured revolving credit facilities being entered into as part
of the Financing Transactions, of between $10.5 billion and
11.5 billion, which amount may change at closing or
thereafter based on market conditions and other factors. As of
September 30, 2006, our financial services sector had
approximately $136.7 billion of consolidated indebtedness,
including $134.5 billion of consolidated indebtedness of
FMCC, all of which would have been structurally senior to the
notes.
We only have a stockholders claim on the assets of our
subsidiaries. This stockholders claim is junior to the
claims that creditors of our subsidiaries have against those
subsidiaries, including without limitation the guarantees of our
new senior secured credit facilities. Holders of the notes will
only be creditors of Ford, and not of our subsidiaries. As a
result, all the existing and future liabilities of our
subsidiaries, including any claims of trade creditors, as well
as the claims of preferred stockholders, will be effectively
senior to the notes.
The notes are obligations exclusively of Ford. A significant
portion of our operations is conducted through subsidiaries.
Therefore, our ability to service our debt, including the notes,
is dependent upon the earnings of our subsidiaries and their
ability to distribute those earnings as dividends, loans or
other payments to us. Certain laws restrict the ability of our
subsidiaries to pay dividends and make
S-28
loans and advances to us. See Summary Company
Overview Outlook for a discussion of the
suspension of FMCCs regular dividend payments.
Conversion Rights
Holders may convert their notes into shares of Ford common stock
initially at a conversion rate of 108.6957 shares of our common
stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes (equivalent to an
initial conversion price of approximately $9.20 per share).
As described below under Settlement upon
Conversion, upon conversion, we may choose to deliver, in
lieu of shares of our common stock, cash or a combination of
cash and shares of our common stock. In addition, at any time on
or prior to the 26th trading day preceding the maturity
date, we may irrevocably elect to satisfy our conversion
obligation with respect to notes to be converted as described
under Settlement upon Conversion
Our Right to Irrevocably Elect Net Share Settlement upon
Conversion. Our ability to do so may, however, be limited
by the covenants in our new senior secured credit facilities.
The conversion rate and the equivalent conversion price in
effect at any given time are referred to in this prospectus
supplement as the conversion rate and the
conversion price, respectively, and will be
subject to adjustment as described below.
Unless earlier terminated as described below, your rights to
surrender notes for conversion will expire on the close of
business on the trading day immediately preceding
December 15, 2036. We may elect to terminate your
conversion rights on or after December 20, 2013 if the
closing sale price (as defined below) of our common stock
exceeds 140% of the then applicable conversion price for 20
trading days in any consecutive 30 trading day period as
described under Our Right to Terminate
Conversion Rights.
Conversion
Procedures
You may convert all or part of any note by delivering the note
at the corporate trust office of the trustee, The Bank of New
York, accompanied by a duly signed and completed conversion
notice, a copy of which may be obtained from the trustee. The
conversion date will be the date on which the
note and the duly signed and completed conversion notice are so
delivered and any payment described below is made.
To convert a note represented by a global security, a holder
must convert by book-entry transfer to the conversion agent
through the facilities of DTC.
Subject to our right to deliver, in lieu of shares of our common
stock, cash or a combination of cash and shares of our common
stock, as described below under Settlement
upon Conversion, and if we have not elected to satisfy
entirely or partially our conversion obligation in cash, as soon
as practicable after we are required to notify you of our choice
of method of settlement, we will issue and deliver to the
trustee a certificate or certificates for the number of full
shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion, together
with a cash payment in lieu of any fraction of a share.
Settlement of our conversion obligation that we have elected to
satisfy partially or entirely in cash will occur on the third
trading day following the final trading day of the cash
settlement averaging period (as defined below). The
certificate(s) will then be sent by the trustee to the
conversion agent for delivery to the holder of the note being
converted. Any shares of our common stock issuable upon
conversion of the notes will be fully paid and nonassessable.
If a note has been called for redemption, holders may not
convert their note after the close of business on the second
business day immediately preceding the date of redemption.
Additionally, if a holder has already delivered a repurchase
notice, the holder may not surrender that note for conversion
until the holder has withdrawn the notice in accordance with the
indenture. A holder may convert fewer than all of such
holders notes so long as the principal amount converted is
$1,000 or an integral multiple thereof.
If you surrender a note for conversion on a date that is not an
interest payment date, you will not be entitled to receive any
interest for the period from the preceding interest payment date
to the date of conversion, except as described below. However,
if you are a holder of a note on a regular record date,
including a note surrendered for conversion after the regular
record date, you will receive the
S-29
interest payable on such note on the next succeeding interest
payment date. Accordingly, any note surrendered for conversion
during the period from the close of business on a regular record
date to the opening of business on the next succeeding interest
payment date must be accompanied by payment of an amount equal
to the interest payable on such interest payment date on the
principal amount of notes being surrendered for conversion. The
foregoing sentence shall not apply to notes converted after we
have given notice of a redemption as described under
Redemption by Ford, if we have given notice
of a designated event or change in control as described under
Repurchase upon a Designated Event or
Change in Control, or if we have given notice to terminate
the conversion rights of the notes as described under
Our Right to Terminate Conversion Rights.
No other payment or adjustment for interest, or for any
dividends in respect of our common stock, will be made upon
conversion. Holders of our common stock issued upon conversion
will not be entitled to receive any dividends payable to holders
of our common stock as of any record time or date before the
close of business on the conversion date. We will not issue
fractional shares of common stock upon conversion. Instead, we
will pay cash in lieu of fractional shares of common stock.
Delivery of our common stock (or cash or a combination of cash
and shares of common stock, if we so elect) will be deemed to
satisfy our obligation to pay all amounts owed on the notes,
including accrued interest. Accrued and unpaid interest will be
deemed paid in full rather than canceled, extinguished or
forfeited. We will not adjust the conversion rate to account for
the accrued interest. For a summary of the U.S. federal
income tax considerations relating to conversion of a note, see
Certain United States Federal Income and Estate Tax
Considerations U.S. Holders
Conversion of Notes into Common Stock, Cash or a Combination
Thereof and Certain United States Federal Income and
Estate Tax Considerations
Non-U.S. Holders
Sale, Exchange, Redemption, Conversion or Other Disposition of
Notes or Shares of Common Stock.
The closing sale price of our common stock or
any other security on any date means the last reported per share
sale price (or, if no last sale price is reported, the average
of the bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case,
the average of the average bid and the average ask prices) on
such date as reported on the New York Stock Exchange, or if our
common stock or such other security is not listed on the New
York Stock Exchange, as reported by the principal
U.S. exchange or quotation system on which our common stock
or such other security is then listed or quoted. In the absence
of such quotations, our board of directors will make a good
faith determination of the closing sale price.
We have initially appointed the trustee as conversion agent. We
may terminate the appointment of any conversion agent or appoint
additional or other conversion agents. Notice of any termination
or appointment and of any change in the office through which any
conversion agent will act will be given in accordance with
Notices below.
You will not be required to pay any taxes or duties relating to
the issue or delivery of our common stock on conversion but you
will be required to pay any tax or duty relating to any transfer
involved in the issue or delivery of our common stock in a name
other than yours. Certificates representing shares of our common
stock will not be issued or delivered unless all taxes and
duties, if any, payable by you have been paid.
Settlement
upon Conversion
In lieu of delivery of shares of our common stock in
satisfaction of our obligation upon conversion of notes, we may
elect to deliver cash or a combination of cash and shares of our
common stock.
Except to the extent we have irrevocably elected net share
settlement upon conversion (as described below), we will inform
the holders through the trustee of the method we choose to
satisfy our obligation upon conversion no later than the second
trading day immediately following the related conversion date.
We may, in lieu of sending individual notices of our election,
send one notice to all holders of the method we choose to
satisfy our conversion obligation for conversions following our
notice of redemption of the notes, notice of termination of
conversion rights or on or following the twenty-fifth trading
day preceding the maturity date.
S-30
Except to the extent we have irrevocably elected net share
settlement upon conversion, if we do not give any notice within
the applicable time period as to how we intend to settle, we
shall satisfy our conversion obligation only in shares of our
common stock (and cash in lieu of fractional shares). If we
choose to satisfy any portion of our conversion obligation in
cash, we will specify the amount to be satisfied in cash as a
percentage of the conversion obligation or a fixed dollar
amount. We will treat all holders converting on the same trading
day in the same manner. We will not, however, have any
obligation to settle our conversion obligations arising on
different trading days in the same manner. That is, we may
choose on one trading day to settle in shares of our common
stock only and choose on another trading day to settle in cash
or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock.
If we elect to satisfy any portion of our conversion obligation
in cash (other than cash in lieu of fractional shares), you may
retract your conversion notice at any time during the two
trading-day
period beginning on the trading day after we have notified the
trustee of our method of settlement. We refer to this period as
the conversion retraction period. You cannot retract your
conversion notice if: (a) we have irrevocably elected net
share settlement upon conversion before you delivered your
conversion notice; (b) you are converting your notes during
the period beginning on the date we have issued a notice of
redemption and ending on the related redemption date; or
(c) you are converting your notes during the period
beginning twenty-five trading days preceding the maturity date
and ending one trading day preceding the maturity date, even if
we have not otherwise notified you prior to the conversion date
of our settlement method election.
Settlement of our conversion obligation that we have not elected
to satisfy partially or entirely in cash will occur in shares of
our common stock as soon as practicable after we are required to
notify you that we have chosen this method of settlement.
Settlement of our conversion obligation that we have elected to
satisfy partially or entirely in cash will occur on the third
trading day following the final trading day of the cash
settlement averaging period (as defined below).
If we elect to satisfy the entire conversion obligation with
shares of our common stock, we will deliver to you a number of
shares equal to (i) the aggregate principal amount of notes
to be converted divided by $1,000, multiplied by (ii) the
applicable conversion rate. In addition, we will pay cash for
all fractional shares of common stock (calculated on an
aggregate basis for the notes you have surrendered for
conversion) based on the closing sale price of the common stock
on the trading day immediately preceding the conversion date.
If we elect to satisfy the entire conversion obligation in cash,
we will deliver to you cash in an amount equal to the product of:
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a number equal to (1) the aggregate principal amount of
notes to be converted divided by $1,000 multiplied by
(2) the applicable conversion rate, and
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the average closing sale price of shares of our common stock
during the 20 trading day period beginning on: (1) for
notes converted during the period beginning on the 30th day
prior to the maturity date or the date on which conversion
rights terminate, the third trading day after the maturity date
or such conversion rights termination date, as the case may be;
and (2) in all other instances, the third trading day after
the conversion date (the cash settlement averaging
period).
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If we elect to satisfy a percentage or fixed amount (but not
all) of the conversation obligation per $1,000 principal amount
of notes in cash, we will deliver to you:
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a dollar amount representing the percentage that we elect of the
Conversion Value or such fixed amount per $1,000 principal
amount of notes (in each case, the cash
amount) and
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a number of shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal
amount of notes equal to the sum, for each trading day of the
cash settlement averaging period, of the greater of:
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a number of shares determined by the following formula:
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(closing sale price of our common
stock on such trading day × applicable conversion rate)
− the cash amount
closing sale price of our common
stock on such trading day × 20
In these cases, we will pay cash for fractional shares of common
stock (calculated on an aggregate basis for the notes you have
surrendered for conversion) based on the closing sale price of
the common stock on the last trading day of the cash settlement
averaging period.
A trading day means (x) if the
applicable security is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, a
day on which trades may be made thereon or (y) if the
applicable security is listed or admitted for trading on the
American Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Global Market or another
national securities exchange or market, a day on which the
American Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Global Market or another
national securities exchange or market is open for business or
(z) if the applicable security is not so listed, admitted
for trading or quoted, any business day.
Our Right to
Irrevocably Elect Net Share Settlement upon
Conversion
At any time on or prior to the 26th trading day preceding
the maturity date, we may irrevocably elect to satisfy our
conversion obligation with respect to the notes to be converted
after the date of such election with a combination of cash in an
amount equal to the lower of (a) the Conversion Value and
(b) the aggregate principal amount of the notes to be
converted, and shares of our common stock representing the
excess of such Conversion Value over such aggregate principal
amount. The number of shares so to be delivered per $1,000
principal amount of notes will be equal to the sum, for each
trading day in the cash settlement averaging period, of the
greater:
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zero, and
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a number of shares determined by the following formula:
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(closing sale price of our common
stock on such trading day × applicable conversion rate)
− $1,000
closing sale price of our common
stock on such trading day × 20
The Conversion Value means the average of the
products for each trading day of the cash settlement averaging
period of (i) the applicable conversion rate for such day
multiplied by (ii) the closing sale price per share of our
common stock on such day multiplied by (iii) the aggregate
principal amount of notes to be converted divided by $1,000.
Such election would be in our sole discretion without the
consent of the holders of notes.
If we make such election, we will notify the trustee and the
holders of notes at their addresses shown in the register of the
registrar.
Our Right to
Terminate Conversion Rights
We may elect, in our sole discretion, upon at least 30 and not
more than 60 days notice given in the manner provided
in the indenture, to terminate your right to convert the notes
if the closing sale price of our common stock on or after
December 20, 2013 exceeds 140% of the then applicable
conversion price, as adjusted as described under
Conversion Rate Adjustments, for 20
trading days in any consecutive 30 trading day period ending on
the trading day either (a) five days prior to the mailing
of the notice of termination of conversion rights, provided that
the closing sale price of our common stock on such
30th trading day exceeded 140% of the then applicable
conversion price, or (b) immediately prior to the mailing
of the notice of termination of conversion rights, regardless of
the price of our common stock on such 30th trading day. If
we make such election, we will notify the trustee and the
holders of notes at their addresses shown in the register of the
registrar and we will, on a date not less than 30 days
prior to the date on which conversion rights terminate,
disseminate a press release through Dow Jones &
Company, Inc. or Bloomberg Business News or other similarly
broad public medium that is customary for such press releases.
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Adjustment to
Conversion Rate upon a Designated Event
If the effective date of a transaction that constitutes a
designated event (as defined below) occurs on
or prior to December 20, 2016, and a holder elects to
convert its notes in connection with such designated event, we
will increase the applicable conversion rate for the notes
surrendered for conversion by a number of additional shares of
common stock (the additional shares), as
described below. A conversion of notes will be deemed for these
purposes to be in connection with a
designated event if such notes are surrendered for conversion
during the period commencing on the effective date of such
transaction (the effective date) and ending
on the repurchase date in connection with such transaction, if
applicable, or, if there is no repurchase date as described
below under Repurchase upon a Designated Event
or Change in Control, ending on the 30th day
following the effective date of such transaction.
We will mail notice of such a designated event to holders and
issue a press release no later than 20 days prior to the
anticipated effective date for such designated event.
The number of additional shares to be added to the conversion
rate upon a designated event will be determined by reference to
the table below and is based on the effective date and the
applicable price in connection with such transaction.
The applicable price in connection with a
designated event means:
|
|
|
|
|
if the consideration paid to holders of our common stock in
connection with such transaction consists exclusively of cash,
the amount of such cash per share of our common stock; and
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|
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in all other cases, the average of the closing sale prices per
share of our common stock for the five consecutive trading days
immediately preceding the effective date.
|
The stock prices set forth in the first row of the table below
(i.e., the column headers), will be adjusted as of any
date on which the conversion rate of the notes is adjusted. The
adjusted stock prices will equal the applicable prices in effect
immediately prior to such adjustment multiplied by a fraction,
the numerator of which is the conversion rate in effect
immediately prior to the adjustment giving rise to the
applicable price adjustment and the denominator of which is the
conversion rate as so adjusted. The number of additional shares
will be subject to adjustment in the same manner as the
conversion rate as set forth under Conversion
Rights Conversion Rate Adjustments.
The following table sets forth the applicable price and number
of additional shares to be added to the conversion rate per
$1,000 principal amount of notes:
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|
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|
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|
|
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Applicable
Price
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Effective
Date
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$7.36
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$8.00
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$9.00
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$10.00
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$11.00
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$12.00
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$13.00
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$14.00
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$20.00
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$25.00
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|
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$30.00
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$50.00
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|
December 15, 2006
|
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27.1739
|
|
|
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25.9493
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|
|
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21.4781
|
|
|
|
18.1035
|
|
|
|
15.4836
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|
|
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13.4012
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|
|
|
11.7128
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|
|
|
10.3206
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|
|
|
5.3971
|
|
|
|
3.4001
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2.2009
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0.0000
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|
December 15, 2007
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27.1739
|
|
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25.6222
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|
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21.0635
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17.6504
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|
|
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15.0212
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|
|
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12.9465
|
|
|
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11.2757
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|
|
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9.9065
|
|
|
|
5.1333
|
|
|
|
3.2269
|
|
|
|
2.0876
|
|
|
|
0.0000
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|
December 15, 2008
|
|
|
27.1739
|
|
|
|
25.2362
|
|
|
|
20.5592
|
|
|
|
17.0907
|
|
|
|
14.4438
|
|
|
|
12.3741
|
|
|
|
10.7217
|
|
|
|
9.3784
|
|
|
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4.7863
|
|
|
|
2.9953
|
|
|
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1.9343
|
|
|
|
0.0000
|
|
December 15, 2009
|
|
|
27.1739
|
|
|
|
24.9915
|
|
|
|
20.1410
|
|
|
|
16.5763
|
|
|
|
13.8813
|
|
|
|
11.7941
|
|
|
|
10.1435
|
|
|
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8.8141
|
|
|
|
4.3819
|
|
|
|
2.7131
|
|
|
|
1.7410
|
|
|
|
0.0000
|
|
December 15, 2010
|
|
|
27.1739
|
|
|
|
24.1951
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|
|
|
19.1318
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|
|
|
15.4615
|
|
|
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12.7291
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|
|
|
10.6472
|
|
|
|
9.0284
|
|
|
|
7.7468
|
|
|
|
3.6726
|
|
|
|
2.2392
|
|
|
|
1.4276
|
|
|
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0.0000
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December 15, 2011
|
|
|
27.1739
|
|
|
|
23.1488
|
|
|
|
17.7625
|
|
|
|
13.9197
|
|
|
|
11.1160
|
|
|
|
9.0392
|
|
|
|
7.4597
|
|
|
|
6.2446
|
|
|
|
2.7029
|
|
|
|
1.6140
|
|
|
|
1.0274
|
|
|
|
0.0000
|
|
December 15, 2012
|
|
|
27.1739
|
|
|
|
21.9141
|
|
|
|
15.9745
|
|
|
|
11.7968
|
|
|
|
8.8114
|
|
|
|
6.6783
|
|
|
|
5.1437
|
|
|
|
4.0346
|
|
|
|
1.4097
|
|
|
|
0.8381
|
|
|
|
0.5479
|
|
|
|
0.0000
|
|
December 15, 2013
|
|
|
27.1739
|
|
|
|
21.1933
|
|
|
|
14.4133
|
|
|
|
9.3503
|
|
|
|
5.4445
|
|
|
|
2.5278
|
|
|
|
0.6971
|
|
|
|
0.1041
|
|
|
|
0.0072
|
|
|
|
0.0017
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|
|
|
0.0000
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|
|
|
0.0000
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|
December 15, 2014
|
|
|
27.1739
|
|
|
|
20.9295
|
|
|
|
13.8798
|
|
|
|
8.8214
|
|
|
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5.0553
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|
|
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2.2484
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|
|
|
0.0000
|
|
|
|
0.0000
|
|
|
|
0.0000
|
|
|
|
0.0000
|
|
|
|
0.0000
|
|
|
|
0.0000
|
|
December 15, 2015
|
|
|
27.1739
|
|
|
|
19.3770
|
|
|
|
11.9211
|
|
|
|
7.1020
|
|
|
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3.8867
|
|
|
|
1.6924
|
|
|
|
0.0000
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|
|
|
0.0000
|
|
|
|
0.0000
|
|
|
|
0.0000
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|
|
|
0.0000
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|
|
|
0.0000
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|
December 20, 2016
|
|
|
27.1739
|
|
|
|
16.3043
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|
|
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2.4155
|
|
|
|
0.0000
|
|
|
|
0.0000
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|
|
|
0.0000
|
|
|
|
0.0000
|
|
|
|
0.0000
|
|
|
|
0.0000
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|
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0.0000
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|
|
0.0000
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|
0.0000
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|
S-33
The exact applicable price and effective date may not be set
forth in the table above, in which case:
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if the actual applicable price is between two applicable price
amounts in the table or the effective date is between two dates
in the table, the increase in the conversion rate will be
determined by straight-line interpolation between the numbers
set forth for the higher and lower applicable price amounts,
and/or the
two dates, based on a
365-day
year, as applicable;
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if the actual applicable price is equal to or in excess of
$50.00 per share (subject to adjustment), we will not
increase the conversion rate applicable to the converted note;
and
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if the actual applicable price is equal to or less than
$7.36 per share (the last reported sale price of our common
stock on the date of this prospectus supplement) (subject to
adjustment), we will not increase the conversion rate applicable
to the converted note.
|
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will we increase the
conversion rate as described above to the extent the increase
will cause the conversion rate to exceed 135.8696 shares
per $1,000 principal amount of note, subject to adjustments in
the same manner as the conversion rate as set forth under
clauses (1) through (4) under Conversion
Rights Conversion Rate Adjustments.
A designated event means any of the following:
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more than 50% of the voting power of our voting stock (as
defined below) being held by a person or persons (other than
Permitted Holders) who act as a partnership, limited
partnership, syndicate or other group for the purpose of
acquiring, holding or disposing of securities of Ford
(within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange
Act),
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more than 50% of the voting power of our voting stock (as
defined below) being held by a person or persons who act
as a partnership, limited partnership, syndicate or other group
for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of
securities of Ford (within the meaning of
Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), where such person or
persons are Permitted Holders, resulting in our common stock (or
other securities or property into which the notes are then
convertible) no longer being listed for trading on the New York
Stock Exchange or listed or approved for trading or quoted on
the NASDAQ Global Market or on any other U.S. national
securities exchange or other similar market, or
|
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|
we consolidate or merge with or into another person (other than
one of our subsidiaries), or convey, sell, transfer or lease all
or substantially all of our assets to another person (other than
to one of our subsidiaries), or any person (other than one of
our subsidiaries) merges into or consolidates with us, and our
outstanding common stock is reclassified into, converted for or
converted into the right to receive any property or security,
provided that no such transaction will constitute a
designated event if persons that beneficially own
(as determined in accordance with
Rules 13d-3
and 13d-5
under the Exchange Act or any successor provisions) our common
stock immediately prior to the transaction beneficially own,
directly or indirectly, common stock representing at least a
majority of the voting power of all common stock of the
surviving person after the transaction in substantially the same
proportion as their voting power immediately prior to the
transaction.
|
Permitted Holders means holders of our
Class B stock on the date the notes are originally issued
and such other holders of Class B stock from time to time;
provided that such holder satisfies the qualifications
set forth in clauses (i) through (vii) of
subsection 2.2 of Article Fourth of our restated
certificate of incorporation as in effect on the date the notes
are originally issued.
On March 15, 2006, 70,852,076 shares of Class B
stock were outstanding, representing 40% of the general voting
power.
Voting stock means with respect to any
person, such persons capital stock having the right to
vote for the election of directors (or the equivalent thereof)
of such person under ordinary circumstances.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no increase in the conversion
rate will be made in the case of any designated event if at
least 90% of the consideration, excluding cash payments for
fractional shares of
S-34
our common stock and cash payments made pursuant to
dissenters appraisal rights, in a transaction otherwise
constituting a designated event consists of shares of common
stock, depositary receipts or other certificates representing
common equity interests traded or quoted on a U.S. national
securities exchange or the NASDAQ Global Market or other similar
market, or will be so traded immediately following such
transaction, and as a result of such transaction the notes
become convertible solely into such consideration.
The definition of designated event includes a phrase relating to
the conveyance, sale, transfer or lease of all or substantially
all of our assets. There is no precise, established definition
of the phrase substantially all under applicable
law. Accordingly, our obligation to increase the conversion rate
as described above as a result of the conveyance, sale, transfer
or lease of less than all of our assets may be uncertain.
Our obligation to increase the conversion rate as described
above could be considered a penalty, in which case the
enforceability thereof would be subject to general principles of
reasonableness of economic remedies.
Conversion
Rate Adjustments
The conversion rate will be adjusted for the following events:
(1) the issuance of our common stock as a dividend or
distribution to all holders of our common stock, or a
subdivision or combination of our common stock, in which event
the conversion rate will be adjusted based on the following
formula:
where,
|
|
|
|
CR0 =
|
the conversion rate in effect at the close of business on the
record date
|
|
CR1 =
|
the conversion rate in effect immediately after the record date
|
|
OS0 =
|
the number of shares of our common stock outstanding at the
close of business on the record date
|
|
OS1 =
|
the number of shares of our common stock that would be
outstanding immediately after, and solely as a result of, such
event
|
(2) the issuance to all holders of our common stock of
certain rights or warrants entitling them for a period expiring
60 days or less from the date of issuance of such rights or
warrants to purchase shares of our common stock (or securities
convertible into our common stock) at less than (or having a
conversion price per share less than) the current market price
of our common stock, in which event the conversion rate will be
adjusted based on the following formula:
where,
|
|
|
|
CR0 =
|
the conversion rate in effect at the close of business on the
record date
|
|
CR1 =
|
the conversion rate in effect immediately after the record date
|
|
OS0 =
|
the number of shares of our common stock outstanding at the
close of business on the record date
|
|
X =
|
the total number of shares of our common stock issuable pursuant
to such rights or warrants
|
|
Y =
|
the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights or warrants
divided by the average of the closing sale prices of our common
stock for the ten consecutive trading days prior to the business
day immediately preceding the first date on which the shares of
our common stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the
applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive
such rights or warrants
|
S-35
the conversion rate will, however, be readjusted to the extent
that such rights or warrants are not exercised prior to their
expiration;
(3) the dividend or other distribution to all holders of
our common stock of shares of our capital stock (other than
common stock) or evidences of our indebtedness, rights or
warrants to purchase our securities, or our assets (excluding
(A) any dividend, distribution or issuance covered by
clauses (1) or (2) above or (4) or
(5) below), in which event the conversion rate will be
adjusted based on the following formula:
|
|
|
CR1 = CR0 ×
|
|
SP0
SP0 − FMV
|
where,
|
|
|
|
CR0 =
|
the conversion rate in effect at the close of business on the
record date
|
|
CR1 =
|
the conversion rate in effect immediately after the record date
|
|
SP0 =
|
the current market price
|
|
FMV =
|
the fair market value (as determined by our board of directors),
on the record date, of the shares of capital stock, evidences of
indebtedness or assets so distributed, expressed as an amount
per share of our common stock
|
if the transaction that gives rise to an adjustment pursuant to
this clause (3) is, however, one pursuant to which the
payment of a dividend or other distribution on our common stock
consists of shares of capital stock of, or similar equity
interests in, a subsidiary or other business unit of ours
(i.e., a spin-off) that are, or, when issued, will be,
traded or quoted on the New York Stock Exchange or any other
national or regional securities exchange or market, then the
conversion rate will instead be adjusted based on the following
formula:
|
|
|
CR1 = CR0 ×
|
|
FMV0
+
MP0
MP0
|
where,
|
|
|
|
CR0 =
|
the conversion rate in effect at the close of business on the
record date
|
|
CR1 =
|
the conversion rate in effect immediately after the record date
|
|
FMV0 =
|
the average of the closing sale prices of the capital stock or
similar equity interests distributed to holders of our common
stock applicable to one share of our common stock over the 10
consecutive trading days commencing on and including the third
trading day after the date on which ex-distribution
trading commences with respect to such dividend or
distribution on the New York Stock Exchange or such other
national or regional securities exchange or market on which our
common stock is then listed or quoted
|
|
|
|
|
MP0 =
|
the average of the closing sale prices of our common stock over
the 10 consecutive trading days commencing on and including the
third trading day after the date on which ex-distribution
trading commences with respect to such dividend or
distribution on the New York Stock Exchange or such other
national or regional securities exchange or market on which our
common stock is then listed or quoted
|
(4) dividends or other distributions consisting exclusively
of cash to all holders of our common stock, in which event the
conversion rate will be adjusted based on the following formula:
S-36
where,
|
|
|
|
CR0 =
|
the conversion rate in effect at the close of business on the
record date
|
|
CR1 =
|
the conversion rate in effect immediately after the record date
|
|
SP0 =
|
the current market price
|
|
C =
|
the amount in cash per share we distribute to holders of our
common stock
|
(5) we or one or more of our subsidiaries make purchases of
our common stock pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer
(other than offers not subject to
Rule 13e-4
under the Exchange Act) by us or one of our subsidiaries for our
common stock to the extent that the cash and value of any other
consideration included in the payment per share of our common
stock validly tendered or exchanged exceeds the closing price
per share of our common stock on the trading day next succeeding
the last date on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant
to such tender or exchange offer (the expiration
date), in which event the conversion rate will be adjusted
based on the following formula:
|
|
|
CR1 = CR0 ×
|
|
FMV +
(SP1
x
OS1)
OS0
×
SP1
|
where,
|
|
|
|
CR0 =
|
the conversion rate in effect at the close of business on the
expiration date
|
|
CR1 =
|
the conversion rate in effect immediately after the expiration
date
|
|
|
|
|
FMV =
|
the fair market value (as determined by our board of directors),
on the expiration date, of the aggregate value of all cash and
any other consideration paid or payable for shares validly
tendered or exchanged and not withdrawn as of the expiration
date (the purchased shares)
|
|
|
|
|
OS1 =
|
the number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of the
last time tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such
tender or exchange offer (the expiration time) less
any purchased shares
|
|
OS0 =
|
the number of shares of our common stock outstanding at the
expiration time, including any purchased shares
|
|
SP1 =
|
the average of the closing sale prices of our common stock for
the 10 consecutive trading days commencing on the trading day
immediately after the expiration date
|
In addition, in no event will we adjust the conversion rate to
the extent that the adjustment would reduce the conversion price
below the par value per share of our common stock.
Current market price of our common stock, on
any day, means the average of the closing sale prices of our
common stock for each of the 10 consecutive trading days ending
on the earlier of the day in question and the day before the
ex-date with respect to the issuance or distribution
requiring such computation. For purposes of this paragraph,
ex-date means the first date on which the
shares of our common stock trade on the applicable exchange or
in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to
receive such issuance or distribution.
Record date means, for purpose of this
section, with respect to any dividend, distribution or other
transaction or event in which the holders of our common stock
have the right to receive any cash, securities or other property
or in which our common stock (or other applicable security) is
exchanged for or converted into any combination of cash,
securities or other property, the date fixed for determination
of holders of our common stock entitled to receive such cash,
securities or other property (whether such date is fixed by our
board of directors or by statute, contract or otherwise).
If a shareholders rights plan under which any rights are issued
provides that each share of common stock issued upon conversion
of notes at any time prior to the distribution of separate
certificates representing such rights will be entitled to
receive such rights, there shall not be any adjustments to the
conversion privilege or conversion rate. If prior to any
conversion, the rights have separated from the common stock, the
conversion rate will be adjusted at the time of separation as if
we distributed to all holders of our common stock, our assets,
debt securities or rights as described in clause (3) above,
subject to readjustment in the event of the expiration,
termination or redemption of such rights.
S-37
The indenture does not require us to adjust the conversion rate
for any of the transactions described above if we make provision
for holders of the notes to participate in the transaction
without conversion on a basis and with notice that our board of
directors determines to be fair and appropriate or in certain
other cases.
Except as stated above, the conversion rate will not be adjusted
for the issuance of our common stock or any securities
convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock or
carrying the right to purchase any of the foregoing.
Notwithstanding anything in this section
Conversion Rate Adjustments to the
contrary, the conversion rate as adjusted in accordance with
this section will not exceed 135.8696 shares per $1,000
principal amount of notes, other than on account of proportional
adjustments to the conversion rate in the manner set forth in
clauses (1) through (4) above.
We will not be required to adjust the conversion rate unless the
adjustment would result in a change of at least 1% of the
conversion rate; provided that we will carry forward any
adjustments that are less than 1% of the conversion rate and
make such carried forward adjustments, regardless of whether the
aggregate adjustment is less than 1%, (a) annually, on the
anniversary of the first date of issue of the notes and
otherwise and (b)(1) five business days prior to the maturity
date of the notes or (2) five business days prior to the
termination date with respect to holders conversion
rights, redemption date or repurchase date, unless such
adjustment has already been made.
We may from time to time, to the extent permitted by law and
subject to applicable rules of The New York Stock Exchange,
increase the conversion rate of the notes by any amount for any
period of at least 20 days. In that case, we will give at
least 15 days notice of such increase. We may make such
increases in the conversion rate, in addition to those set forth
above, as our board of directors deems advisable, including to
avoid or diminish any income tax to holders of our common stock
resulting from any dividend or distribution of stock (or rights
to acquire stock) or from any event treated as such for income
tax purposes.
As a result of any adjustment of the conversion rate, the
holders of notes may, in certain circumstances, be deemed to
have received a distribution subject to U.S. income tax as
a dividend. In certain other circumstances, the absence of an
adjustment may result in taxable dividend income to the holders
of common stock. In addition,
non-U.S. holders
of notes in certain circumstances may be deemed to have received
a distribution subject to U.S. federal withholding tax
requirements. See Certain United States Federal Income and
Estate Tax Considerations
U.S. Holders Constructive Distributions
and Certain United States Federal Income and Estate Tax
Considerations
Non-U.S. Holders
Dividends and Constructive Dividends.
Recapitalizations,
Reclassifications and Changes of Our Common Stock
In the case of any recapitalization, reclassification or change
of our common stock (other than changes resulting from a
subdivision or combination), a consolidation, merger or
combination involving us, a sale or conveyance to a third party
of substantially all of our assets, or any statutory share
exchange, in each case as a result of which our common stock
would be converted into, or exchanged for, stock, other
securities, other property or assets (including cash or any
combination thereof), then, at the effective time of the
transaction, the right to convert a note will be changed,
subject to our (or our successors) right to deliver, in
lieu of shares of common stock, cash or a combination of cash
and shares of common stock, as described under
Settlement upon Conversion, into a right
to convert it into the kind and amount of shares of stock, other
securities or other property or assets (including cash or any
combination thereof) that a holder of a share of common stock
would have owned or been entitled to receive (the
reference property) upon such transaction. In the
event holders of our common stock have the opportunity to elect
the form of consideration to be received in such transaction,
the type and amount of consideration that holders of notes would
have been entitled to receive will be deemed to be the weighted
average of the types and amounts of consideration received by
the holders of our common stock, subject to our (or our
successors) right to deliver, in lieu of the reference
property, cash or a combination of cash and
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reference property, as described under
Settlement upon Conversion. We will
agree in the indenture not to become a party to any such
transaction unless its terms are consistent with the foregoing.
For a discussion of the tax consequences to a holder of changes
to the conversion rate of the notes, see Certain United
States Federal Income and Estate Tax Considerations
U.S. Holders Constructive Distributions,
and Certain United States Federal Income and Estate Tax
Considerations
Non-U.S. Holders
Dividends and Constructive Dividends.
Adjustments of Average Prices
Whenever any provision of the indenture requires us to calculate
an average of closing sale prices over a span of multiple days,
we will make appropriate adjustments to account for any
adjustment to the conversion rate that becomes effective, or any
event requiring an adjustment to the conversion rate where the
ex date of the event occurs, at any time during the period from
which the average is to be calculated.
Redemption by Ford
We may not redeem the notes at our option prior to
December 20, 2016. Starting on that date and on any
business day thereafter, we may redeem all or any portion of the
notes, for cash, at once or from time to time, upon at least 30
and not more than 60 days notice given in the manner
provided in the indenture, at a redemption price equal to 100%
of the principal amount to be redeemed, together with accrued
and unpaid interest thereon, up to, but not including, the
redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on
the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant
interest payment date).
We or a third party may, to the extent permitted by applicable
law, at any time purchase notes in the open market, by tender at
any price or by private agreement. Any note that we or a third
party purchase may, to the extent permitted by applicable law,
be re-issued or resold or may, at our or such third partys
option, be surrendered to the trustee for cancellation. Any
notes surrendered for cancellation may not be re-issued or
resold and will be canceled promptly.
Repurchase at the Option of Holders
On December 20, 2016 and on December 15, 2026, you
will have the right, at your option, to require us to repurchase
any outstanding notes for which you have properly delivered and
not withdrawn a written repurchase notice, subject to certain
additional conditions. You may submit your notes for repurchase
to the paying agent at any time from the opening of business on
the date that is 30 business days prior to the repurchase date
until the close of business on the fifth business day prior to
the repurchase date.
We will purchase each outstanding note for which such holder has
properly delivered and not withdrawn a written repurchase notice
at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of
such note, together with accrued and unpaid interest up to, but
not including, the repurchase date.
We will pay the repurchase price in cash. For a discussion of
the tax treatment of a holder receiving cash, see Certain
United States Federal Income and Estate Tax
Considerations U.S. Holders Sale,
Exchange, Redemption or Other Disposition of Notes and
Certain United States Federal Income and Estate Tax
Considerations
Non-U.S. Holders
Sale, Exchange, Redemption, Conversion or Other Disposition of
Notes or Shares of Common Stock.
On a date not less than 20 business days prior to each
repurchase date, we will be required to give notice to all
holders at their addresses shown in the register of The Bank of
New York, as registrar, and to beneficial owners as required by
applicable law, and disseminate a press release through Dow
Jones & Company, Inc. or Bloomberg Business News or
other similarly broad public medium that is customary for such
press releases, stating, among other things, the procedures that
holders must follow to require us to repurchase their notes.
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The repurchase notice given by each holder electing to require
us to purchase notes must be given so as to be received by the
paying agent no later than the close of business on the fifth
business day prior to the repurchase date and must state:
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the certificate numbers of the holders notes to be
delivered for repurchase;
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the aggregate principal amount of notes to be
repurchased; and
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that the notes are to be repurchased by us pursuant to the
applicable provisions of the notes.
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If the debentures are not in certificated form, the purchase
notice must comply with appropriate DTC procedures.
Our ability to purchase notes may be limited by the terms of our
then existing credit facilities. The indenture will prohibit us
from purchasing notes in connection with the holders
purchase right if any Event of Default under the indenture has
occurred and is continuing, except a default in the payment of
the repurchase price with respect to the notes. As a result, if
an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, we will also
default on the payment of the purchase price of any notes that
we are required to purchase.
A holder may withdraw any repurchase notice by delivering a
written notice of withdrawal to the paying agent prior to the
close of business on the second business day prior to the
repurchase date. The notice of withdrawal shall state:
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the certificate numbers of the notes being withdrawn;
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the aggregate principal amount of the notes being
withdrawn; and
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the aggregate principal amount, if any, of the notes that remain
subject to the repurchase notice.
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In connection with any repurchase offer, we will:
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comply in all material respects with the applicable provisions
of
Rule 13e-4,
Rule 14e-1
and any other tender offer rules under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), that may
then apply;
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file a Schedule TO, if required, or any other required
schedule under the Exchange Act; and
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otherwise comply with the federal and state securities laws.
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If a holder has delivered a repurchase notice, however, the
holder may not surrender that note for conversion until the
holder has withdrawn the notice in accordance with the indenture.
Our obligation to pay the repurchase price for a note as to
which a repurchase notice has been delivered and not validly
withdrawn is conditioned upon the holder delivering the note,
together with the necessary endorsements, to the paying agent at
any time after delivery of the repurchase notice. We will cause
the repurchase price for the note to be paid on the later of the
repurchase date or the time of delivery of the note.
If the paying agent holds money or securities sufficient to pay
the repurchase price of the note on the business day following
the repurchase date in accordance with the terms of the
indenture, then, immediately after the repurchase date, the note
will cease to be outstanding and interest on such note will
cease to accrue, whether or not the note is delivered to the
paying agent. After the note ceases to be outstanding, all other
rights of the holder shall terminate, other than the right to
receive the repurchase price upon delivery of the note.
Repurchase
upon a Designated Event or Change in Control
If a designated event (as defined above under
Conversion Rights Adjustment to
Conversion Rate upon a Designated Event) or a change
in control (as defined below) occurs, you will have the
right, at your option, to require us to repurchase your notes
not previously repurchased
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or called for redemption, in whole or in part. The repurchase
price we are required to pay is 100% of the principal amount of
the notes to be repurchased, plus any accrued and unpaid
interest to, but not including, the repurchase date. With
respect to any event that is a change in control, we
will pay the repurchase price in cash. With respect to any
designated event that is not a change in control, we will pay
the repurchase price in shares of our common stock (or such
other consideration into which the shares of our common stock
have been converted or exchanged in connection with the
designated event). In the event holders of our common stock have
the opportunity to elect the form of consideration to be
received in connection with in such designated event, the type
and amount of consideration that holders of notes will receive
upon repurchase will be deemed to be the weighted average of the
types and amounts of consideration received by holders of our
common stock as a result of such designated event.
A change in control means either of the
following:
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more than 50% of the voting power of our voting stock being held
by a person or persons (other than Permitted Holders) who
act as a partnership, limited partnership, syndicate or
other group for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing
of securities of Ford (within the meaning of
Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act); or
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Continuing Directors (as defined below) cease to constitute at
least a majority of our board of directors.
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Continuing Director means at any date, an
individual (a) who is a member of our board of directors on
the date the notes are originally issued, (b) who has been
elected as a member of our board of directors with a majority of
the total votes of Permitted Holders that were cast in such
election voted in favor of such member or (c) who has been
nominated to be a member of our board of directors by a majority
of the other Continuing Directors then in office.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, holders of notes will not have
the right to require us to repurchase any notes in connection
with a designated event or change in control, and we will not be
required to deliver a notice of such designated event or change
in control incidental thereto, if
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the closing sale price of our common stock for any five trading
days within the period of ten consecutive trading days ending
immediately after the later of the change in control or
designated event or the public announcement thereof, in the case
of an acquisition of capital stock or resulting from a change in
Continuing Directors, or the period of ten consecutive trading
days ending immediately before the change in control or
designated event, in the case of a merger, consolidation or
asset sale, equals or exceeds 105% of the conversion price of
the notes in effect on each of those five trading days; or
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at least 90% of the consideration, excluding cash payments for
fractional shares of our common stock and cash payments made
pursuant to dissenters appraisal rights, in a transaction
otherwise constituting a change in control or designated event
consists of shares of common stock, depositary receipts or other
certificates representing common equity interests traded or
quoted on a U.S. national securities exchange or the NASDAQ
Global Market or other similar market or will be so traded
immediately following such transaction, and as a result of such
transaction the notes become convertible solely into such
consideration.
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We are obligated to give each registered holder of notes notice
of the designated event or change in control within 30 days
after the occurrence thereof, which notice must state, among
other things, the repurchase right arising as a result of the
designated event or change in control and the procedures that
holders must follow to exercise these rights. We must also
deliver a copy of this notice to the trustee. To exercise the
repurchase right, a registered holder must deliver on or before
the 30th business day after the date of our notice
irrevocable written notice to the trustee of such holders
exercise of its repurchase right, together with the notes with
respect to which the right is being exercised. We are required
to repurchase the notes on the 30th business days after the
date of our notice.
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In connection with a designated event that is not a change in
control, we will deliver to you a number of shares (or other
securities or property, as applicable) determined by the
following formula:
Purchase price to be settled by delivering stock (or other
securities or property)
applicable settlement value
The applicable settlement value means, with
respect to shares of our common stock, the greater of
(1) the average of the closing sale prices per share of our
common stock for the five consecutive trading days immediately
preceding the repurchase date multiplied by 99% or
(2) $4.91 (approximately two-thirds of the closing price of
our common stock on the date of this prospectus supplement)
(subject to adjustment). In the case of a designated event in
which the shares of our common stock have been, as of the
effective date, converted into or exchanged for the right to
receive other securities or property, the applicable
settlement value per security or unit of property shall be
calculated as follows:
(a) for securities that are traded or quoted on a
U.S. national securities exchange or the NASDAQ Global
Market or other similar market, the average of the closing
prices of such securities for the five consecutive trading days
immediately preceding the repurchase date, or
(b) for other consideration that holders will have the
right to receive, the value determined by our board of directors
in good faith.
We will pay cash for fractional shares (calculated on an
aggregate basis in the notes you have surrendered for purchase)
based on the applicable settlement value.
Because the average closing sale price of our shares of common
stock or the other securities will be determined prior to the
repurchase date, holders of notes bear the market risk that our
shares of common stock or such other securities will decline in
value between the date the applicable settlement value is
determined and the repurchase date.
In connection with any repurchase rights arising as a result of
the occurrence of a change in control or designated event, we
will:
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comply in all material respects with the applicable provisions
of
Rule 13e-4,
Rule 14e-1
and any other tender offer rules under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), that may
then apply;
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file a Schedule TO, if required, or any other required
schedule under the Exchange Act; and
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otherwise comply with the federal and state securities laws.
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The foregoing provisions would not necessarily provide you with
protection if we are involved in a highly leveraged or other
transaction that may adversely affect you. For example, we
could, in the future, enter into transactions, including
recapitalizations, that would not constitute a designated event
or change in control but that would increase the amount of our
indebtedness or our subsidiaries indebtedness, some or all
of which could be effectively senior to the notes.
We cannot assure you that we would have the financial resources,
or would be able to arrange financing, to pay the repurchase
price in cash for all the notes that might be surrendered by
holders seeking to exercise the repurchase right. Moreover, a
change in control or designated event could cause an event of
default under, or be prohibited or limited by, the terms of our
other debt. If we were to fail to repurchase the notes when
required following a change in control or designated event, an
Event of Default under the indenture would occur. Any such
default may, in turn, cause an event of default under our other
debt.
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Certain Covenants
The indenture will include covenants including, among others,
the following:
Limitation on Liens
We will not, and we will not permit any Manufacturing Subsidiary
to, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or suffer to exist any debt,
secured by a pledge of, or mortgage or lien on, any Principal
Domestic Manufacturing Property of Ford or any Manufacturing
Subsidiary, or any shares of stock of or debt of any
Manufacturing Subsidiary, without effectively providing that the
notes (together with, if we shall so determine, any other debt
of us or such Manufacturing Subsidiary then existing or
thereafter created ranking equally with the notes) will be
secured equally and ratably with (or prior to) such secured
debt, so long as such secured debt shall be so secured, unless,
after giving effect thereto, the aggregate amount of all such
secured debt so secured plus all Attributable Debt of us and our
Manufacturing Subsidiaries in respect of Sale and Leaseback
Transactions would not exceed 5% of Consolidated Net Tangible
Automotive Assets; provided, however, that this
clause shall not apply to debt secured by:
(1) pledges, mortgages or liens on property of, or on any
shares of stock or of debt of, any corporation existing at the
time such corporation becomes a Manufacturing Subsidiary;
(2) pledges, mortgages or liens in favor of Ford or any
Manufacturing Subsidiary;
(3) pledges, mortgages or liens in favor of any
governmental body to secure progress, advance or other payments
pursuant to any contract or provision of any statute;
(4) pledges, mortgages or liens on property, shares of
stock or debt existing at the time of acquisition thereof
(including acquisition through merger or consolidation) or to
secure the payment of all or any part of the purchase price
thereof or to secure any debt incurred prior to, at the time of,
or within 60 days after, the acquisition of such property
or shares of debt for the purpose of financing all or any part
of the purchase price thereof; and
(5) any extension, renewal or replacement (or successive
extensions, renewals or replacements), as a whole or in part, of
any pledges, mortgages or liens referred to in the foregoing
clauses (1) to (4), inclusive; provided that such
extension, renewal or replacement pledges, mortgages or liens
shall be limited to all or a part of the same property, shares
of stock or debt that secured the pledges, mortgages or liens
extended, renewed or replaced (plus improvements on such
property).
Limitations on
Sale and Lease-Back Transactions
We will not, and we will not permit any Manufacturing Subsidiary
to, enter into any arrangement with any bank, insurance company
or other lender or investor (not including us or any
Manufacturing Subsidiary) or to which any such lender or
investor is a party, providing for the leasing by us or any
Manufacturing Subsidiary for a period, including renewals, in
excess of three years of any Principal Domestic Manufacturing
Property which has been or is to be sold or transferred by us or
such Manufacturing Subsidiary to such lender or investor or to
any person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such
lender or investor on the security of such Principal Domestic
Manufacturing Property (a Sale and Leaseback
Transaction) unless either:
(1) We or such Manufacturing Subsidiary could create debt
secured by a pledge, mortgage or lien pursuant to the first
paragraph of the covenant described under
Certain Covenants Limitation on
Liens on the Principal Domestic Manufacturing Property to
be leased in an amount equal to the Attributable Debt with
respect to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction without equally
and ratably securing the notes; or
(2) We, within 120 days after the sale or transfer
shall have been made by us or by a Manufacturing Subsidiary,
applies an amount equal to the greater of (i) the net
proceeds of the sale of the Principal Domestic Manufacturing
Property leased pursuant to such arrangement or (ii) the
fair market value of the Principal Domestic Manufacturing
Property so leased at the time
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of entering into such arrangement (as determined by any two of
the following: the Chairman of our Board of Directors, our
President, any Executive Vice President or Vice President, our
Treasurer and our controller) to the retirement of Funded Debt
of us; provided, however, that the amount to be applied
to the retirement of Funded Debt of us shall be reduced by
(a) the principal amount of any notes delivered within
120 days after such sale to the trustee for retirement and
cancellation and (b) the principal amount of Funded Debt,
other than notes, voluntarily retired by us within 120 days
after such sale. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no retirement
referred to in this clause (2) may be effected by payment
at maturity or pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund payment or
any mandatory prepayment provision.
Merger,
Consolidation or Sale of Assets
We may consolidate with, or sell or convey all or substantially
all of our assets to, or merge with or into any other person;
provided, however, that in any such case,
(i) the successor entity will be an entity organized and
existing under the laws of the United States or a state thereof
and such entity shall expressly assume the due and punctual
payment of the principal of and interest on all the notes,
according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance
and observance of all the covenants and conditions to be
performed by us under the notes, the indenture, by agreements
satisfactory to the trustee, executed and delivered to the
trustee by such entity and (ii) such successor entity shall
not, immediately after such merger or consolidation or such sale
or conveyance, be in default in the performance of any such
covenant or condition; provided, further, that the
provisions of clause (i) shall not be applicable if we
shall consolidate with or merge into a direct or indirect
majority-owned subsidiary of us and we shall be the surviving
corporation.
If, upon any such consolidation or merger of us with or into any
other entity, or upon any sale or conveyance of the property of
us as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any other
entity, any Principal Domestic Manufacturing Property of us or
any Manufacturing Subsidiary or any shares of stock or debt of
any Manufacturing Subsidiary would thereupon become subject to
any pledge, mortgage or lien securing any debt as provided in
the first paragraph of the covenant described under
Limitation on Liens, then unless we
could create such pledge, mortgage or lien in accordance with
covenant described under Limitation on
Liens without equally and ratably securing the notes, we,
prior to or at the time of such consolidation, merger, sale or
conveyance, will cause the notes to be secured equally and
ratably with (or prior to) the debt secured by such pledge,
mortgage or lien.
In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance
and upon any such assumption by the successor entity, such
successor entity shall succeed to and be substituted for Ford
with the same effect as if it had been named in the indenture as
Ford, and the predecessor corporation shall be relieved of any
further obligation under the notes and the indenture.
Certain
Definitions
Set forth below is a summary of certain of the defined terms
used in the indenture relevant to the above described covenants.
Reference is made to the indenture for the full definition of
all such terms, as well as any other terms used in this
prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus for
which no definition is provided.
Attributable Debt means, as to any particular
lease under which any person is at the time liable, at any date
as of which the amount thereof is to be determined, the total
net amount of rent (discounted from the respective due dates
thereof at the rate of 9.5% per annum compounded annually)
required to paid by such person under such lease during the
remaining term thereof.
Consolidated Net Tangible Automotive Assets
means the sum of (i) the aggregate amount of Fords
automotive assets (less applicable reserves and other properly
deductible items) after deducting therefrom (x) all current
liabilities and (y) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks,
patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like
intangibles, plus (ii) Fords equity in the net assets
of its financial services subsidiaries after deducting therefrom
all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt
discount and expense and other like intangibles, in each case
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as set forth in the most recent financial statements of Ford and
its consolidated subsidiaries which have been prepared in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
Funded Debt shall mean all indebtedness for
money borrowed having a maturity of more than 12 months
from the date of the most recent balance sheet of Ford and its
consolidated subsidiaries or having a maturity of less than
12 months but by its terms being renewable or extendible
beyond 12 months from the date of such balance sheet at the
option of the borrower.
Manufacturing Subsidiary means a subsidiary
of Ford which owns or leases a Principal Domestic Manufacturing
Property.
Principal Domestic Manufacturing Property
means any plant in the United States owned or leased by Ford or
any subsidiary of Ford, the gross book value (without deduction
of any depreciation reserves) of which on the date as of which
the determination is being made exceeds 0.5% of the Consolidated
Net Tangible Automotive Assets and more than 75% of the total
production measured by value of which in the last fiscal year
prior to such date consisted of one or more of the following:
cars or trucks or related parts and accessories or materials for
any of the foregoing.
Events of Default and Remedies
The following will be Events of Default for the
notes:
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failure to pay accrued and unpaid interest on the notes for
30 days after becoming due;
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failure to pay the principal amount, redemption price or
repurchase price of any note for five business days after such
amount becomes due and payable on the notes;
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failure by us to provide notice of a change in control in
accordance with the terms of the indenture;
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default in the delivery when due of all shares of common stock
and any cash payable upon conversion with respect to the notes,
which default continues for 15 days;
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failure by us to comply with any of our other covenants in the
notes or the indenture upon receipt by us of notice of such
default by the trustee or by holders of not less than 25% in
aggregate principal amount of the notes then outstanding and our
failure to cure (or obtain a waiver of) such default within
90 days after receipt of such notice or such shorter period
as set forth under Reports to
Trustee; and
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certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with
respect to Ford.
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If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in
aggregate principal amount of notes then outstanding may declare
the principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, on the notes accrued through the date of such
declaration to be immediately due and payable. If this happens,
subject to certain conditions, the holders of a majority of the
total principal amount of the notes can void the declaration. In
the case of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization involving Ford, the principal amount of the notes
plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, accrued thereon
through the occurrence of such event shall automatically become
and be immediately due and payable.
An Event of Default for a particular series of debt securities
under the indenture will not necessarily constitute an Event of
Default for any other series of debt securities issued under the
indenture.
The indenture provides that within 90 days after default
under a series of debt securities, the trustee will give the
holders of that series notice of all uncured defaults known to
it. (The term default includes the events specified
above without regard to any period of grace or requirement of
notice.) The trustee may withhold notice of any default (except
a default in the payment of principal, interest or any premium)
if it believes that it is in the interest of the holders.
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Other than its duties in case of a default, the trustee is not
obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under the
indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders,
unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable protection from
expenses and liability. If they provide this reasonable
indemnification, the holders of a majority of the total
principal amount of the notes may direct the trustee how to act
under the indenture.
Modification of the Indenture
The indenture permits us and the trustee to amend the indenture
without the consent of the holders of notes:
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to evidence the succession of another corporation and the
assumption of our covenants under the indenture and the notes;
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to add to our covenants or to the Events of Default, to
surrender any right or power conferred upon us under the
indenture or to make other changes which would not adversely
affect in any material respect any holder of any outstanding
notes;
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to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provisions
of the indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with any
other provision of the indenture, or to make such other
provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under
the indenture, provided that such other provisions shall
not adversely affect the interest of the holders of the notes in
any material respect;
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to comply with the rules of any applicable securities depositary;
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to add any guarantor with respect to the notes;
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to secure the notes pursuant to the requirements of the
indenture or otherwise;
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to establish the form or terms of securities of any
series; and
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to evidence and provide for the acceptance of an appointment by
a successor trustee with respect to one or more series of the
securities and to change any provision of the indenture to
accommodate the administration of trusts under the indenture by
more than one trustee.
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No amendment to the indenture made solely to conform the
indenture to the description of the notes contained in this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus will be
deemed to adversely affect the interests of the holders of the
notes.
The indenture also permits us and the trustee, with the consent
of not less than a majority of the principal amount of the
notes, to add any provisions to or change or eliminate any of
the provisions of the indenture or to modify the rights of the
holders of the notes; provided however that, without the
consent of each holder affected thereby, we cannot:
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change the maturity of the principal, premium, if any, or
interest installment of any note;
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reduce the principal amount or premium, if any, payable at
maturity or upon repurchase or redemption, or interest rate of
any note;
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make any change that adversely affects conversion rights or
conversion rate of any note;
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make any change that adversely affects the right of a holder to
require us to repurchase any note;
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impair the right of any holder to convert or receive payment of
principal and interest with respect to any note or the right to
institute suit for the enforcement of any payment with respect
to, or conversion of, any note;
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change the place or currency of payment of principal or interest
in respect of any note;
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make any change in the amendment provisions which require each
holders consent; and
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reduce the percentage required for modifications.
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S-46
The holders of not less than a majority of the principal amount
of the notes may waive certain past defaults under the indenture.
Calculations in Respect of the Notes
We will be responsible for making all calculations called for
under the notes. These calculations include, but are not limited
to, determinations of the market prices of our common stock,
anti-dilution adjustments and the conversion rate of the notes.
We will make all these calculations in good faith and, absent
manifest error, our calculations will be final and binding on
holders of notes. We will provide a schedule of our calculations
to each of the trustee and the conversion agent, and each of the
trustee and conversion agent is entitled to rely on the accuracy
of our calculations without independent verification. The
trustee will forward our calculations to any holder of notes
upon the request of that holder.
Form, Denomination, Transfer, Exchange and Book-Entry
Procedures
The notes will be issued:
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only in fully registered form;
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without interest coupons; and
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in denominations of $1,000 and greater multiples.
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The notes will be evidenced by one or more global notes, which
will be deposited with the trustee, as custodian for the
Depository Trust Company, or DTC, and registered in the name of
Cede & Co., or Cede, as nominee of DTC. Except as set
forth below, record ownership of the global note may be
transferred, in whole or in part, only to another nominee of DTC
or to a successor of DTC or its nominee.
The global note will not be registered in the name of any
person, or exchanged for notes that are registered in the name
of any person, other than DTC or its nominee unless either of
the following occurs:
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DTC notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer
qualified to continue acting as the depositary for the global
note or DTC ceases to be a registered clearing agency or ceases
doing business or announces an intention to cease doing
business, and we do not appoint a successor depositary; or
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an Event of Default with respect to the notes represented by the
global note has occurred and is continuing.
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In those circumstances, DTC will determine in whose names any
securities issued in exchange for the global note will be
registered.
So long as the notes are in global form, DTC or its nominee will
be considered the sole owner and holder of the global note for
all purposes, and as a result:
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you cannot receive notes registered in your name if they are
represented by the global note;
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you cannot receive physical certificated notes in exchange for
your beneficial interest in the global notes;
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you will not be considered to be the owner or holder of the
global note or any note it represents for any purpose; and
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all payments on the global note will be made to DTC or its
nominee.
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The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain kinds of
purchasers, such as insurance companies, can only own securities
in definitive certificated form. These laws may limit your
ability to transfer your beneficial interests in the global note
to these types of purchasers.
S-47
Only institutions, such as a securities broker or dealer, that
have accounts with DTC or its nominee (called participants) and
persons that may hold beneficial interests through participants
can own a beneficial interest in the global note. The only place
where the ownership of beneficial interests in the global note
will appear and the only way the transfer of those interests can
be made will be on the records kept by DTC (for their
participants interests) and the records kept by those
participants (for interests of persons held by participants on
their behalf).
We will make payments of interest on and principal of and the
redemption or repurchase price of the global note to Cede, the
nominee for DTC, as the registered owner of the global note. We
will make these payments by wire transfer of immediately
available funds on each payment date.
We have been informed that DTCs practice is to credit
participants accounts on the payment date with payments in
amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests
in the notes represented by the global note as shown on
DTCs records, unless DTC has reason to believe that it
will not receive payment on that payment date. Payments by
participants to owners of beneficial interests in notes
represented by the global note held through participants will be
the responsibility of those participants, as is now the case
with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in
street name.
We understand that if less than all the notes are being
redeemed, DTCs practice is to determine by lot the amount
of the holdings of each participant to be redeemed.
We also understand that neither DTC nor Cede will consent or
vote with respect to the notes. We have been advised that under
its usual procedures, DTC will mail an omnibus proxy to us as
soon as possible, after the record date. The omnibus proxy
assigns Cedes consenting or voting rights to those
participants to whose account the notes are credited on the
record date identified in a listing attached to the omnibus
proxy.
Because DTC can only act on behalf of participants, who in turn
act on behalf of indirect participants, the ability of a person
having a beneficial interest in the principal amount represented
by the global note to pledge the interest to persons or entities
that do not participate in the DTC book-entry system, or
otherwise take actions in respect of that interest, may be
affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing its
interest.
DTC has advised us that it will take any action permitted to be
taken by a holder of notes (including the presentation of notes
for exchange) only at the direction of one or more participants
to whose account with DTC interests in the global note are
credited and only in respect of such portion of the principal
amount of the notes represented by the global note as to which
such participant or participants has or have given such
direction.
DTC has also advised us as follows:
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DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws
of the State of New York, a member of the Federal Reserve
System, a clearing corporation within the meaning of the Uniform
Commercial Code, as amended, and a clearing agency registered
pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange
Act;
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DTC was created to hold securities for its participants and
facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities
transactions between participants through electronic book-entry
changes in accounts of its participants;
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participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks,
trust companies and clearing corporations and may include
certain other organizations;
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certain participants, or their representatives, together with
other entities, own DTC; and
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indirect access to the DTC system is available to other entities
such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear
through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant,
either directly or indirectly.
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S-48
The policies and procedures of DTC, which may change
periodically, will apply to payments, transfers, exchanges and
other matters relating to beneficial interests in the global
note. We and the trustee have no responsibility or liability for
any aspect of DTCs or any participants records
relating to beneficial interests in the global note, including
for payments made on the global note. Further, we and the
trustee are not responsible for maintaining, supervising or
reviewing any of those records.
Reports to Trustee
We will furnish to the trustee copies of our annual reports on
Form 10-K
and our quarterly reports on
Form 10-Q
within 15 days after we are required to file the same with
the SEC; provided that if we are not required to file such
reports with the SEC, then within 15 days after we would be
required to file these reports with the SEC if we had a security
listed on a national securities exchange. Such
15-day
period shall automatically be extended to the earlier of
(a) the date that is five days prior to the date of the
occurrence of any event of default (or any comparable term)
under any series of our currently outstanding debt securities as
a result of our failure to provide annual or quarterly financial
statements to the extent required under the related indenture
and (b) in the case of audited annual financial statements,
within 240 days after the end of our fiscal year, and in
the case of unaudited quarterly financial statements, within
220 days after the end of each of the first three quarterly
periods of each fiscal year. If the period for filing any report
is automatically extended for 85 or more days as described
above, then the 90 day cure period for our failure to
comply with our obligation to file such report will be reduced
to 5 days. If, however, in connection with an event of
default under another series of our debt securities, the period
for filing such report is automatically extended for less than
85 days, then the number of days in such cure period shall
be reduced to equal the number by which 90 exceeds the number of
days of such extension.
We will also furnish the trustee with a certificate following
the end of each fiscal year as to whether any default or Event
of Default exists under the Indenture.
Notices
Notice to holders of the notes will be given by mail to the
addresses as they appear in the security register. Notices will
be deemed to have been given on the date of such mailing.
Notice of a redemption of notes will be given not less than 30
nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date and will
specify the redemption date. A notice of redemption of the notes
will be irrevocable.
Replacement of Notes
We will replace any note that becomes mutilated, destroyed,
stolen or lost at the expense of the holder upon delivery to the
trustee of the mutilated notes or evidence of the loss, theft or
destruction satisfactory to us and the trustee. In the case of a
lost, stolen or destroyed note, indemnity satisfactory to the
trustee and us may be required at the expense of the holder of
the note before a replacement note will be issued.
Governing Law
The indenture and the notes will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York, United States
of America.
The Trustee
The Bank of New York (as successor trustee to JPMorgan Chase
Bank) is the trustee, security registrar, paying agent and the
conversion agent.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the trustee
will be required to use the degree of care of a prudent person
in the conduct of his own affairs in the exercise of its powers.
Subject to such provisions, the trustee will be under no
obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the
indenture at the request of any of the holders of notes, unless
they shall have furnished to the trustee reasonable security or
indemnity.
S-49
This section contains a description of our capital stock. This
description includes not only our common stock, but also our
Class B stock and preferred stock, including our
outstanding Series B preferred stock, certain terms of
which affect the common stock. The following summary of the
terms of our capital stock is not meant to be complete and is
qualified by reference to our restated certificate of
incorporation. See Where You Can Find More
Information.
Our authorized capital stock currently consists of
6,000,000,000 shares of common stock,
530,117,376 shares of Class B stock and
30,000,000 shares of preferred stock. As of
October 31, 2006, we had outstanding
1,818,368,912 shares of common stock,
70,852,076 shares of Class B stock and no shares of
Series B preferred stock.
Common Stock and Class B Stock
Rights to Dividends and on Liquidation. Each share
of common stock and Class B stock is entitled to share
equally in dividends (other than dividends declared with respect
to any outstanding preferred stock) when and as declared by our
board of directors, except as stated below under the subheading
Stock Dividends. Upon liquidation, subject to the
rights of any other class or series of stock having a preference
on liquidation, each share of common stock will be entitled to
the first $.50 available for distribution to common and
Class B stockholders, each share of Class B stock will
be entitled to the next $1.00 so available, each share of common
stock will be entitled to the next $.50 available and each share
of common and Class B stock will be entitled to an equal
amount after that. Any outstanding preferred stock would rank
senior to the common stock and Class B Stock in respect of
liquidation rights and could rank senior to that stock in
respect of dividend rights.
Voting General. All general voting
power is vested in the holders of common stock and the holders
of Class B stock, voting together without regard to class,
except as stated below in the subheading Voting by
Class. The voting power of the shares of stock is
determined as described below. However, we could in the future
create series of preferred stock with voting rights equal to or
greater than our common stock or Class B stock. Each holder
of common stock is entitled to one vote per share, and each
holder of Class B stock is entitled to a number of votes
per share derived by a formula contained in our restated
certificate of incorporation. As long as at least
60,749,880 shares of Class B stock remain outstanding,
the formula will result in holders of Class B stock having
40% of the general voting power and holders of common stock and,
if issued, any preferred stock with voting power having 60% of
the general voting power. If the number of outstanding shares of
Class B stock falls below 60,749,880, but remains at least
33,749,932, then the formula will result in the general voting
power of holders of Class B stock declining to 30% and the
general voting power of holders of common stock and, if issued,
any preferred stock with voting power increasing to 70%. If the
number of outstanding shares of Class B stock falls below
33,749,932, then each holder of Class B stock will be
entitled to only one vote per share. Based on the number of
shares of Class B stock and common stock outstanding as of
March 15, 2006, the record date for our most recent meeting
of shareholders, each holder of Class B stock was entitled
to 16.911 votes per share. Of the outstanding Class B stock
as of March 15, 2006, 49,293,595 shares were held in a
voting trust. The trust requires the trustee to vote all the
shares in the trust as directed by holders of a plurality of the
shares in the trust.
Right of Preferred Stock to Elect a Maximum of Two
Directors in Event of Default. It would be customary for
any preferred stock that we may issue to provide that if at any
time we are delinquent in the payment of six or more dividend
periods worth of dividends (whether or not consecutive), the
holders of the preferred stock, voting as a class, would be
entitled to elect two directors (who would be in addition to the
directors elected by the stockholders generally). These voting
rights are required to be provided if the preferred stock is
listed on the New York Stock Exchange and are provided for in
our Series B preferred stock.
Non-Cumulative Voting Rights. Our common stock and
Class B stock, as well as any preferred stock with voting
power we may issue, do not and will not have cumulative voting
rights. This means
S-50
that the holders who have more than 50% of the votes for the
election of directors can elect 100% of the directors if they
choose to do so.
Voting by Class. If we want to take any of the
following actions, we must obtain the vote of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of Class B stock, voting
as a class:
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issue any additional shares of Class B stock (with certain
exceptions);
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reduce the number of outstanding shares of Class B stock
other than by holders of Class B stock converting
Class B stock into common stock or selling it to the
Company;
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change the capital stock provisions of our restated certificate
of incorporation;
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merge or consolidate with or into another corporation;
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dispose of all or substantially all of our property and assets;
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transfer any assets to another corporation and in connection
therewith distribute stock or other securities of that
corporation to our stockholders; or
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voluntarily liquidate or dissolve.
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Voting Provisions of Delaware Law. In addition to
the votes described above, any special requirements of Delaware
law must be met. The Delaware General Corporation Law contains
provisions on the votes required to amend certificates of
incorporation, merge or consolidate, sell, lease or exchange all
or substantially all assets, and voluntarily dissolve.
Ownership and Conversion of Class B Stock. In
general, only members of the Ford family or their descendants or
trusts or corporations in which they have specified interests
can own or be registered as record holders of shares of
Class B stock, or can enjoy for their own benefit the
special rights and powers of Class B stock. A holder of
shares of Class B stock can convert those shares into an
equal number of shares of common stock for the purpose of
selling or disposing of those shares. Shares of Class B
stock acquired by the Company or converted into common stock
cannot be reissued by the Company.
Preemptive and Other Subscription Rights. Holders
of common stock do not have any right to purchase additional
shares of common stock if we sell shares to others. If, however,
we sell Class B stock or obligations or shares convertible
into Class B stock (subject to the limits on who can own
Class B stock described above), then holders of
Class B stock will have a right to purchase, on a ratable
basis and at a price just as favorable, additional shares of
Class B stock or those obligations or shares convertible
into Class B stock. In addition, if shares of common stock
(or shares or obligations convertible into such stock) are
offered to holders of common stock, then we must offer to the
holders of Class B stock shares of Class B stock (or
shares or obligations convertible into such stock), on a ratable
basis, and at the same price per share.
Stock Dividends. If we declare and pay a dividend
in our stock, we must pay it in shares of common stock to
holders of common stock and in shares of Class B stock to
holders of Class B stock.
Ultimate Rights of Holders of Class B Stock.
If and when the number of outstanding shares of Class B
stock falls below 33,749,932, the Class B stock will become
freely transferable and will become substantially equivalent to
common stock. At that time, holders of Class B stock will
have one vote for each share held, will have no special class
vote, will be offered common stock if common stock is offered to
holders of common stock, will receive common stock if a stock
dividend is declared, and will have the right to convert such
shares into an equal number of shares of common stock
irrespective of the purpose of conversion.
Miscellaneous; Dilution. If we increase the number
of outstanding shares of Class B stock (by, for example,
doing a stock split or stock dividend), or if we consolidate or
combine all outstanding shares of Class B stock so that the
number of outstanding shares is reduced, then the threshold
S-51
numbers of outstanding Class B stock (that is, 60,749,880
and 33,749,932,) that trigger voting power changes will
automatically adjust by a proportionate amount.
Preferred
Stock
We may issue preferred stock from time to time in one or more
series, without stockholder approval. Subject to limitations
prescribed by law, our board of directors is authorized to fix
for any series of preferred stock the number of shares of such
series and the designation, relative powers, preferences and
rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of
such series. For any series of preferred stock that we may
issue, our board of directors will determine and the prospectus
supplement relating to such series will describe:
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The designation and number of shares of such series;
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The rate and time at which, and the preferences and conditions
under which, any dividends will be paid on shares of such
series, as well as whether such dividends are cumulative or
non-cumulative and participating or non-participating;
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Any provisions relating to convertibility or exchangeability of
the shares of such series;
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The rights and preferences, if any, of holders of shares of such
series upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our
affairs;
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The voting powers, if any, of the holders of shares of such
series;
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Any provisions relating to the redemption of the shares of such
series;
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Any limitations on our ability to pay dividends or make
distributions on, or acquire or redeem, other securities while
shares of such series are outstanding;
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Any conditions or restrictions on our ability to issue
additional shares of such series or other securities;
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Any other relative power, preferences and participating,
optional or special rights of shares of such series, and the
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof.
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All shares of preferred stock that we may issue will be
identical and of equal rank except as to the particular terms
thereof that may be fixed by our board of directors, and all
shares of each series of preferred stock will be identical and
of equal rank except as to the dates from which cumulative
dividends, if any, thereon will be cumulative.
S-52
The following is a summary of certain United States federal
income and estate tax consequences of the ownership of notes and
the shares of common stock into which the notes may be
converted, as of the date hereof. Except where noted, this
summary deals only with a note or share of common stock held as
a capital asset by a holder who purchases the notes on original
issuance at its initial offering price, and does not represent a
detailed description of the United States federal income and
estate tax consequences applicable to you if you are subject to
special treatment under the United States federal income or
estate tax laws, including if you are:
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a dealer in securities or currencies;
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a financial institution;
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a regulated investment company;
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a real estate investment trust;
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a tax-exempt organization;
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an insurance company;
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a person holding the notes as part of a hedging, integrated,
conversion or constructive sale transaction or a straddle;
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a trader in securities that has elected the
mark-to-market
method of accounting for your securities;
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a person liable for alternative minimum tax;
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a person who is an investor in a pass-through entity;
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a United States person whose functional currency is
not the U.S. dollar.
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a controlled foreign corporation;
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a passive foreign investment company; or
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a United States expatriate.
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The summary is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), and regulations, rulings
and judicial decisions as of the date hereof. Those authorities
may be changed, perhaps retroactively, so as to result in
U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences different
from those summarized below. This summary does not address all
aspects of United States federal income and estate taxes and
does not deal with all tax considerations that may be relevant
to holders in light of their personal circumstances.
For purposes of this discussion, a U.S. holder
is a beneficial owner of a note that is:
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an individual citizen or resident of the United States;
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a corporation (or any other entity treated as a corporation for
United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized
in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or
the District of Columbia;
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an estate the income of which is subject to United States
federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
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a trust if it (1) is subject to the primary supervision of
a court within the United States and one or more United States
persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions
of the trust or (2) has a valid election in effect under
applicable United States Treasury regulations to be treated as a
United States person.
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The term
non-U.S. holder
means a beneficial owner of a note or share of common stock
(other than a partnership) that is not a U.S. holder.
Special rules may apply to certain
non-U.S. holders
such
S-53
as controlled foreign corporations and passive
foreign investment companies. Such entities should consult
their own tax advisors to determine the U.S. federal,
state, local and other tax consequences that may be relevant to
them.
If a partnership holds the notes, the tax treatment of a partner
will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the
activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a
partnership holding the notes, you should consult your own tax
advisors.
If you are considering the purchase of notes, you should consult
your own tax advisors concerning the particular United States
federal income and estate tax consequences to you of the
ownership of the notes, as well as the consequences to you
arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.
U.S. Holders
The following discussion is a summary of certain
U.S. federal income tax consequences that will apply to you
if you are a U.S. holder of notes.
Payment of
Interest
This discussion assumes that the notes will not be issued with
more than a de minimis amount of original issue discount
within the meaning of Section 1273(a)(3) of the Code. In
such case, interest on a note will generally be taxable to you
as ordinary income at the time it is paid or accrued in
accordance with your usual method of accounting for tax purposes.
Sale,
Exchange, Redemption, Repurchase or other Disposition of
Notes
Except as provided below under Receipt of Common Stock,
Cash or a Combination Thereof Upon Conversion or Repurchase of
the Notes you will generally recognize gain or loss upon
the sale, exchange, redemption, repurchase or other disposition
of a note equal to the difference between the amount realized
(less accrued interest which will be taxable as such) upon the
sale, exchange, redemption, repurchase or other disposition and
your adjusted tax basis in the note. Your tax basis in a note
will generally be equal to the amount you paid for the note. Any
gain or loss recognized on a taxable disposition of the note
will be capital gain or loss. If you are an individual and have
held the note for more than one year, such capital gain will be
subject to reduced rates of taxation. Your ability to deduct
capital losses may be limited.
Receipt of
Common Stock, Cash or a Combination Thereof Upon Conversion or
Repurchase of the Notes
We intend to take the position that neither gain nor loss will
be recognized by holders on the exchange of notes into shares of
common stock upon conversion or repurchase otherwise, except to
the extent of cash received, if any, including any cash received
in lieu of a fractional share and except to the extent of
amounts received with respect to accrued interest, which will be
taxable as such. If you receive solely cash in exchange for your
notes upon conversion, your gain or loss will be determined in
the same manner as if you disposed of the notes in a taxable
disposition (as described above under Sale, Exchange,
Redemption, Repurchase or other Disposition of Notes). If
a combination of cash and stock is received in exchange for your
notes upon conversion, we intend to take the position that gain,
but not loss, will be recognized equal to the excess of the fair
market value of the common stock and cash received (other than
amounts attributable to accrued interest, which will be treated
as such, and cash in lieu of a fractional share) over your
adjusted tax basis in the note (excluding the portion of the tax
basis that is allocable to any fractional share), but in no
event should the gain recognized exceed the amount of cash
received. The amount of gain or loss recognized on the receipt
of cash in lieu of a fractional share will be equal to the
difference between the amount of cash you receive in respect of
the fractional share and the portion of your adjusted tax basis
in the note that is allocable to the fractional share.
S-54
The tax basis of the shares of common stock received upon a
conversion or repurchase (other than common stock attributable
to accrued interest, the tax basis of which will equal its fair
market value) will equal the adjusted tax basis of the note that
was converted or repurchased (excluding the portion of the tax
basis that is allocable to any fractional share), reduced by the
amount of any cash received (other than cash received in lieu of
a fractional share or cash attributable to accrued interest),
and increased by the amount of gain, if any, recognized (other
than with respect to a fractional share). Your holding period
for shares of common stock will include the period during which
you held the notes except that the holding period of any common
stock received with respect to accrued interest will commence on
the day after the date of receipt.
You should consult your tax advisors regarding the tax treatment
of the receipt of cash and stock in exchange for notes upon
conversion and the ownership of our common stock.
Constructive
Distributions
The conversion rate of the notes will be adjusted in certain
circumstances. Under Section 305(c) of the Code,
adjustments (or failures to make adjustments) that have the
effect of increasing your proportionate interest in our assets
or earnings may in some circumstances result in a deemed
distribution to you. Adjustments to the conversion rate made
pursuant to a bona fide reasonable adjustment formula that has
the effect of preventing the dilution of the interest of the
holders of the notes, however, will generally not be considered
to result in a deemed distribution to you. Certain of the
possible conversion rate adjustments provided in the notes
(including, without limitation, adjustments in respect of
taxable dividends to holders of our common stock and as
discussed in Description of Notes Adjustment
to the Conversion Rate Upon a Designated Event) may not
qualify as being pursuant to a bona fide reasonable adjustment
formula. If such adjustments are made, the U.S. holders of
notes will be deemed to have received a distribution even though
they have not received any cash or property as a result of such
adjustments. Any deemed distributions will be taxable as a
dividend, return of capital, or capital gain in accordance with
the earnings and profits rules under the Code. It is not clear
whether a constructive dividend deemed paid to you would be
eligible for the preferential rates of United States federal
income tax. It is also unclear whether corporate holders would
be entitled to claim the dividends received deduction with
respect to any such constructive dividends.
Information
Reporting and Backup Withholding
Information reporting requirements generally will apply to
payments of interest on the notes and dividends on shares of
common stock and to the proceeds of a sale of a note or share of
common stock paid to you unless you are an exempt recipient such
as a corporation. A backup withholding tax will apply to those
payments if you fail to provide your taxpayer identification
number, or certification of exempt status, or if you fail to
report in full interest and dividend income.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be
allowed as a refund or a credit against your United States
federal income tax liability provided the required information
is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
Non-U.S. Holders
The following is a summary of the U.S. federal tax
consequences that will apply to you if you are a
non-U.S. holder
of notes or shares of common stock.
Payments of
Interest
The 30% United States federal withholding tax will not apply to
any payment to you of interest on a note under the
portfolio interest rule provided that:
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interest paid on the note is not effectively connected with your
conduct of a trade or business in the United States,
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you do not actually (or constructively) own 10% or more of the
total combined voting power of all classes of our voting stock
within the meaning of the Code and applicable United States
Treasury regulations;
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you are not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to
us through stock ownership;
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you are not a bank whose receipt of interest on a note is
described in section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code; and
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either (a) you provide your name and address on an Internal
Revenue Service (IRS)
Form W-8BEN
(or other applicable form), and certify, under penalties of
perjury, that you are not a United States person or (b) you
hold your notes through certain foreign intermediaries and
satisfy the certification requirements of applicable United
States Treasury regulations.
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Special rules apply to
non-U.S. holders
that are pass-through entities rather than corporations or
individuals.
If you cannot satisfy the requirements described above, payments
of interest made to you will be subject to the 30% United States
federal withholding tax, unless you provide us with a properly
executed:
IRS
Form W-8BEN
(or other applicable form) claiming an exemption from or
reduction in withholding under the benefit of an applicable
income tax treaty; or
IRS
Form W-8ECI
(or other applicable form) stating that interest paid on the
notes is not subject to withholding tax because it is
effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business
in the United States.
The 30% United States federal withholding tax generally will not
apply to any gain that you realize on the sale, exchange,
retirement or other disposition of a note.
If you are engaged in a trade or business in the United States
and interest on the notes is effectively connected with the
conduct of that trade or business and, if required by an
applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a United States
permanent establishment, then you will be subject to United
States federal income tax on that interest on a net income basis
(although you will be exempt from the 30% United States federal
withholding tax, provided the certification requirements
discussed above in Payments of Interest are
satisfied) in the same manner as if you were a United States
person as defined under the Code. In addition, if you are a
foreign corporation, you may be subject to a branch profits tax
equal to 30% (or lower applicable income tax treaty rate) of
earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject to
adjustments, that are effectively connected with your conduct of
a trade or business in the U.S.
To the extent that any cash, shares of common stock, cash or
combination of cash and shares of common stock received upon the
conversion of the notes by you is subject to
U.S. withholding tax and is not sufficient to comply with
our U.S. withholding obligations, we may recoup or set-off
such liability against any amounts owed to you, including, but
not limited to, any actual cash dividends or distributions
subsequently made with respect to such common stock, the
applicable U.S. federal withholding tax that we are
required to pay on your behalf.
Dividends and
Constructive Dividends
Any dividends paid to you with respect to the shares of common
stock (and any deemed dividends resulting from certain
adjustments, or failure to make adjustments, to the conversion
rate including, without limitation, adjustments in respect of
taxable dividends to holders of our common stock, see
Constructive Distributions above) will be subject to
withholding tax at a 30% rate (or lower applicable income tax
treaty rate). In the case of any constructive dividend, it is
possible that this tax would be withheld from any amount owed to
you, including, but not limited to, interest payments, shares of
your common stock or sales proceeds subsequently paid or
credited to you. However, dividends that are effectively
connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the
United
S-56
States and, where a tax treaty applies, are attributable to a
U.S. permanent establishment, are not subject to the
withholding tax, but instead are subject to United States
federal income tax on a net income basis at applicable graduated
individual or corporate rates. Certain certification
requirements and disclosure requirements must be complied with
in order for effectively connected income to be exempt from
withholding. Any such effectively connected income received by a
foreign corporation may, under certain circumstances, be subject
to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate (or lower
applicable income tax treaty rate).
A
non-U.S. holder
of shares of common stock who wishes to claim the benefit of an
applicable treaty rate is required to satisfy applicable
certification and other requirements. If you are eligible for a
reduced rate of United States withholding tax pursuant to an
income tax treaty, you may obtain a refund of any excess amounts
withheld by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the
Internal Revenue Service.
Sale,
Exchange, Redemption, Conversion or Other Disposition of Notes
or Shares of Common Stock
You will recognize gain on the sale, exchange, redemption or
other taxable disposition of a note as well as upon the
conversion of a note into cash or into a combination of cash and
stock. Nevertheless, such gain generally will not be subject to
United States federal income tax unless:
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that gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade
or business in the United States (and, if required by an
applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a
U.S. permanent establishment);
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you are an individual who is present in the United States for
183 days or more in the taxable year of that disposition,
and certain other conditions are met; or
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we are or have been a U.S. real property holding
corporation for United States federal income tax purposes.
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If you are an individual described in the first bullet point
above, you will be subject to tax on the net gain derived from
the sale, exchange, redemption, conversion or other taxable
disposition under regular graduated U.S. federal income tax
rates. If you are an individual described in the second bullet
point above, you will be subject to a flat 30% tax on the gain
derived from the sale, exchange, redemption, conversion or other
taxable disposition, which may be offset by United States source
capital losses, even though you are not considered a resident of
the United States. If you are a foreign corporation that falls
under the first bullet point above, you will be subject to tax
on your net gain in the same manner as if you were a
U.S. person as defined under the Code and, in addition, you
may be subject to the branch profits tax equal to 30% of your
effectively connected earnings and profits or at such lower rate
as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
Any stock which you receive on the sale, exchange, redemption,
conversion or other disposition of a note which is attributable
to accrued interest will be subject to U.S. federal income
tax in accordance with the rules for taxation of interest
described above under Payments of
Interest.
We believe that we are not and do not anticipate becoming a
U.S. real property holding corporation for
United States federal income tax purposes.
United States
Federal Estate Tax
Your estate will not be subject to United States federal estate
tax on notes beneficially owned by you at the time of your
death, provided that any payment to you on the notes would be
eligible for exemption from the 30% United States federal
withholding tax under the portfolio interest rule
described above under Payments of Interest without
regard to the statement requirement described in the last bullet
point. However, shares of common stock held by you at the time
of your death will be included in your gross estate for United
States federal estate tax purposes unless an applicable estate
tax treaty provides otherwise.
S-57
Information
Reporting and Backup Withholding
Generally, we must report to the IRS and to you the amount of
interest and dividends paid to you and the amount of tax, if
any, withheld with respect to those payments. Copies of the
information returns reporting such interest payments and any
withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in
the country in which you reside under the provisions of an
applicable income tax treaty.
In general, you will not be subject to backup withholding with
respect to payments of interest or dividends that we make to you
provided that we do not have actual knowledge or reason to know
that you are a United States person, as defined under the Code,
and we have received from you the statement described above in
the last bullet point under Payments of Interest.
In addition, no information reporting or backup withholding will
be required regarding the proceeds of the sale of a note made
within the United States or conducted through certain United
States-related financial intermediaries, if the payor receives
the statement described above and does not have actual knowledge
or reason to know that you are a United States person, as
defined under the Code, or you otherwise establish an exemption.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be
allowed as a refund or a credit against your United States
federal income tax liability provided the required information
is furnished to the IRS.
S-58
The following is a summary of certain considerations associated
with the purchase of the notes (and the shares of our common
stock into which the note may be converted) by employee benefit
plans that are subject to Title I of the U.S. Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
(ERISA), plans, individual retirement accounts and
other arrangements that are subject to Section 4975 of the
Code or provisions under any federal, state, local,
non-U.S. or
other laws, rules or regulations that are similar to such
provisions of ERISA or the Code (collectively, Similar
Laws), and entities whose underlying assets are considered
to include plan assets of any such plans, accounts
and arrangements (each, a Plan).
General Fiduciary Matters
ERISA and the Code impose certain duties on persons who are
fiduciaries of a Plan subject to Title I of ERISA or
Section 4975 of the Code (an ERISA Plan) and
prohibit certain transactions involving the assets of an ERISA
Plan and its fiduciaries or other interested parties. Under
ERISA and the Code, any person who exercises any discretionary
authority or control over the administration of such an ERISA
Plan or the management or disposition of the assets of such an
ERISA Plan, or who renders investment advice for a fee or other
compensation to such an ERISA Plan, is generally considered to
be a fiduciary of the ERISA Plan.
In considering an investment in the notes (and the shares of our
common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes) of a portion
of the assets of any Plan, a fiduciary should determine whether
the investment is in accordance with the documents and
instruments governing the Plan and the applicable provisions of
ERISA, the Code or any Similar Law relating to a
fiduciarys duties to the Plan including, without
limitation, the prudence, diversification, delegation of control
and prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA, the Code and any
other applicable Similar Laws.
Prohibited Transaction Issues
Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code
prohibit ERISA Plans from engaging in specified transactions
involving plan assets with persons or entities who are
parties in interest, within the meaning of ERISA, or
disqualified persons, within the meaning of
Section 4975 of the Code, unless an exemption is available.
A party in interest or disqualified person who engaged in a
nonexempt prohibited transaction may be subject to excise taxes
and other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code. In
addition, the fiduciary of the ERISA Plan that engaged in such a
nonexempt prohibited transaction may be subject to penalties and
liabilities under ERISA and the Code. The acquisition
and/or
holding of notes (and shares of our common stock issuable upon
conversion of the notes) by an ERISA Plan with respect to which
we or the underwriters are considered a party in interest or
disqualified person may constitute or result in a direct or
indirect prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA
and/or
Section 4975 of the Code, unless the investment is acquired
and is held in accordance with an applicable statutory, class or
individual prohibited transaction exemption. In this regard, the
U.S. Department of Labor has issued prohibited transaction
class exemptions (PTCEs) that may apply to the
acquisition and holding of the notes (and shares of our common
stock issuable upon conversion of the notes). These class
exemptions include, without limitation,
PTCE 84-14
respecting transactions determined by independent qualified
professional asset managers,
PTCE 90-1,
respecting insurance company pooled separate accounts,
PTCE 91-38,
respecting bank collective investment funds,
PTCE 95-60,
respecting life insurance company general accounts and
PTCE 96-23,
respecting transactions determined by in-house asset managers,
although there can be no assurance that all of the conditions of
any such exemptions will be satisfied.
Plan Asset Issues
ERISA and the Code do not define plan assets.
However, regulations, which we call the Plan Asset Regulations,
promulgated under ERISA by the DOL generally provide that when
an ERISA Plan
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acquires an equity interest in an entity that is neither a
publicly-offered security nor a security issued by
an investment company registered under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended, the ERISA Plans assets include
both the equity interest and an undivided interest in each of
the underlying assets of the entity unless it is established
either that equity participation in the entity by benefit
plan investors is not significant or that the entity is an
operating company, in each case as defined in the
Plan Asset Regulations. Since the notes may be converted into
ordinary shares there can be no assurance that equity
participation in us by benefit plan investors will not be
significant. Although no assurance can be given in this regard,
we believe that we qualify as an operating company
and/or that
the ordinary shares will qualify for the exemption for a
publicly offered security.
If our assets were deemed to be plan assets under
ERISA, this would result, among other things, in (i) the
application of the prudence and other fiduciary responsibility
standards of ERISA to investments made by us, and (ii) the
possibility that certain transactions in which we might seek to
engage could constitute prohibited transactions
under ERISA
and/or the
Code.
Representation
Accordingly, by acceptance of a note (and shares of our common
stock issuable upon conversion of the notes), each purchaser and
subsequent transferee will be deemed to have represented and
warranted that either (i) no portion of the assets used by
such purchaser or transferee to acquire and hold the notes (and
the shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of the
notes) constitutes assets of any Plan or (ii) the purchase
and holding of the notes (and shares of our common stock
issuable upon conversion of the notes) by such purchaser or
transferee will not constitute a nonexempt prohibited
transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975
of the Code or similar violation under any applicable Similar
Laws.
The foregoing discussion is general in nature and is not
intended to be all-inclusive. Due to the complexity of these
rules and the penalties that may be imposed upon persons
involved in nonexempt prohibited transactions, it is
particularly important that fiduciaries or other persons
considering purchasing the notes (and the shares of our common
stock issuable upon conversion of the notes) on behalf of, or
with the assets of, any Plan, consult with their counsel
regarding the issues described above.
S-60
UNDERWRITING
Ford and the underwriters named below have entered into an
underwriting agreement, dated December 6, 2006, with
respect to the notes. Subject to certain conditions, each
underwriter has severally agreed to purchase the principal
amount of notes set forth in the following table. Citigroup
Global Markets Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co. and
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. are the representatives of the
underwriters named below. Citigroup Global Markets Inc.,
Goldman, Sachs & Co., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.,
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Lehman Brothers Inc., Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated, and BNP Paribas Securities
Corp. are acting as joint book-running managers for this
offering.
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Principal
Amount
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Underwriters
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of
Notes
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Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
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$
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533,893,000
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Goldman, Sachs & Co.
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533,893,000
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J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
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533,893,000
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Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
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533,893,000
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Lehman Brothers Inc.
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533,893,000
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Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated
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533,893,000
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Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated
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533,893,000
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BNP Paribas Securities Corp.
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269,999,000
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HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.
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95,624,000
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The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
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95,624,000
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ABN AMRO Rothschild LLC
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45,563,000
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Barclays Capital Inc.
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45,563,000
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Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC
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45,563,000
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UBS Securities LLC
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45,563,000
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Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.
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19,620,000
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Bear, Stearns & Co.
Inc.
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19,620,000
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Calyon Securities (USA) Inc.
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19,620,000
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Comerica Securities, Inc.
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19,620,000
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Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein
Securities LLC
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19,620,000
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Harris Nesbitt Corp.
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4,230,000
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BNY Capital Markets, Inc.
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4,230,000
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Fortis Securities LLC
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4,230,000
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PNC Capital Markets, Inc.
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4,230,000
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Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
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4,230,000
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Total
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$
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4,500,000,000
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The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the
underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent and
that the underwriters will purchase all of the notes offered by
this prospectus supplement if any of the notes are purchased.
If the underwriters sell more notes than the total aggregate
principal amount set forth in the table above, the underwriters
have an option to buy up to an additional $450,000,0000
aggregate principal amount to cover such sales. They have up to
30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement to
exercise this option. If any notes are purchased pursuant to
this option, the underwriters will severally purchase the notes
in approximately the same proportion as set forth above.
S-61
Ford has agreed to pay a fee of 2.00% (expressed as a
percentage of the principal amount of the notes) to the
underwriters in connection with this offering of notes.
We have been advised by the underwriters that they propose to
offer the notes initially to the public at the public offering
price shown on the cover page hereof and to certain dealers at
that price less a selling concession of 1.20% of the
principal amount of the notes. The underwriters may allow, and
such dealers may reallow, a concession of 0.01% of the
principal amount of the notes on sales to certain other dealers.
After the initial offering of the notes, the underwriters may
change the offering price and other selling terms.
The notes are a new issue of securities with no established
trading market. The notes will not be listed on any securities
exchange or on any automated dealer quotation system. The
underwriters may make a market in the notes after completion of
the offering, but will not be obligated to do so and may
discontinue any market-making activities at any time without
notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the
trading market for the notes or that an active public market for
notes will develop. If an active public trading market for the
notes does not develop, the market price and liquidity of the
notes may be adversely affected.
In connection with this offering, the underwriters may purchase
and sell the notes and Fords common stock in the open
market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing
transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short
sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a
greater principal amount of notes than they are required to
purchase in this offering. Covered short sales are
sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters
option to purchase additional notes from us in the offering. The
underwriters may close out any covered short position by either
exercising their option to purchase additional notes or
purchasing notes in the open market. In determining the source
of notes to close out the covered short position, the
underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of
notes available for purchase in the open market as compared to
the price at which they may purchase notes through the
overallotment option. Naked short sales are any
sales in excess of such option. The underwriters must close out
any naked short position by purchasing notes or Ford common
stock in the open market. A naked short position is more likely
to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may
be downward pressure on the price of the notes in the open
market after pricing that will adversely affect investors who
purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of
certain bids or purchases of the notes or shares of common stock
made by the representatives in the open market for the purpose
of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the
notes while this offering is in progress.
The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when
a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of
the underwriting discount received by it because the
representatives have repurchased the notes sold by or for the
account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short-covering
transactions.
Purchases to cover a short position and stabilizing transactions
may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the
market price of the notes or Ford common stock, and together
with the imposition of the penalty bid, may stabilize, maintain
or otherwise affect the market price of the notes or Ford common
stock. As a result, the price of the notes or Ford common stock
may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the
open market. If these activities are commenced, they may be
discontinued by the underwriters at any time. These transactions
may be effected on the New York Stock Exchange, in the
over-the-counter
market or otherwise.
Ford and certain of its executive officers have agreed for a
period of 90 days from the date of this prospectus
supplement, subject to certain exceptions, not to offer, sell,
contract to sell, pledge, grant any option to purchase, make any
short sale or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, or
file or cause to be filed with the SEC a registration statement
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities
Act of 1933), relating to, or enter into any swap, hedge
or other arrangement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of
the economic consequences of ownership of, any shares of Ford
common stock, or any options or warrants to purchase any shares
of Ford common stock, or any securities convertible into,
exchangeable or exercisable for or that represent the right to
receive,
S-62
shares of Ford common stock, whether any such aforementioned
transaction is to be settled by delivery of any such securities,
in cash, or otherwise without the prior written consent of
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. Notwithstanding these restrictions:
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Ford may take such actions with respect to issuances of Ford
common stock issuable upon conversion or exercise of securities
or options outstanding on the date of this prospectus
supplement, upon conversion of the notes, as described in this
prospectus supplement, issuances of Ford common stock as
consideration in future acquisitions, transfers of Ford common
stock to affiliates and issuances of Ford common stock or
options under existing employee benefit or compensation
plans; and
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Fords executive officers subject to the sales restrictions
described above may each sell up to 50,000 shares of Ford
common stock during the period beginning on the 30th day
after the date of this prospectus supplement and ending on the
90th day following the date of this prospectus supplement.
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In the ordinary course of business, the underwriters or their
affiliates have provided and may in the future provide
commercial banking, financial advisory or investment banking
services for Ford and its subsidiaries for which they have
received or will receive customary compensation. In particular,
in connection with Fords new senior secured credit
facilities, certain of the underwriters
and/or
certain of their affiliates have acted as arrangers
and/or will
be lenders under these new facilities.
It is expected that delivery of the notes will be made against
payment therefor on or about the date specified in the last
paragraph of the cover page of this prospectus supplement, which
will be the seventh business day following the date of pricing
of the notes (we refer to the pricing date as T and
such settlement cycle as T+7). Under
Rule 15c6-1
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, trades in
the secondary market generally are required to settle in three
business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly
agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the
notes on the date of pricing or the following three business
days will be required, by virtue of the fact that the notes
initially will settle in T+7, to specify an alternate settlement
cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent a failed
settlement. Purchasers of notes who wish to trade those notes on
the date of pricing or the following three business days should
consult their own advisor.
All secondary trading in the notes will settle in immediately
available funds.
Ford has agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities
Act of 1933. Excluding underwriters commissions and
discounts, Ford estimates that it will spend approximately
$2,350,000 for printing, registration fees, accounting fees
and other expenses related to the offering of the notes.
No Public Offering Outside the United States
No action has been or will be taken in any jurisdiction outside
of the United States of America that would permit a public
offering of the notes, or the possession, circulation or
distribution of this prospectus supplement or any material
relating to Ford, the notes in any jurisdiction where action for
that purpose is required. Accordingly, the notes included in
this offering may not be offered, sold or exchanged, directly or
indirectly, and neither this prospectus supplement or any other
offering material or advertisements in connection with this
offering may be distributed or published, in or from any such
country or jurisdiction, except in compliance with any
applicable rules or regulations of any such country or
jurisdiction.
European Economic Area
In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area
(EEA) which has implemented the EU prospectus
directive, as defined below (each, a relevant member
state), with effect from and including the date on which
the prospectus directive is implemented in that relevant member
state (the relevant implementation date) the notes
will not be offered to the public in that
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relevant member state prior to the publication of a prospectus
in relation to the notes which has been approved by the
competent authority in that relevant member state or, where
appropriate, approved in another relevant member state and
notified to the competent authority in that relevant member
state, all in accordance with the prospectus directive, except
that, with effect from and including the relevant implementation
date, an offer of notes may be made to the public in that
relevant member state at any time:
(a) to legal entities which are authorised or regulated to
operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorised or
regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in
securities;
(b) to any legal entity which has two or more of
(1) an average of at least 250 employees during the last
financial year; (2) a total balance sheet of more than
43,000,000 and (3) an annual net turnover of more
than 50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or
consolidated accounts;
(c) to fewer than 100 natural or legal persons per Member
State, other than qualified investors; or
(d) in any other circumstances which do not require the
publication by Ford of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3
of the prospectus directive.
For the purposes of this provision, the expression an
offer of notes to the public in relation to any
notes in any relevant member state means the communication in
any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms
of the offer and the notes to be offered so as to enable an
investor to decide to purchase the notes, as the same may be
varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the
prospectus directive in that Member State and the expression
prospectus directive means Directive
2003/71/EC
and includes any relevant implementing measure in each relevant
member state.
The underwriters have agreed to offer the notes in accordance
with the selling restrictions described above and below and to
investors in the EEA only (i) in allotments of $100,000 or
greater; (ii) to (A) legal entities which are
authorised or regulated to operate in the financial markets or,
if not so authorised or regulated, whose corporate purpose is
solely to invest in securities or (B) any legal entity
which has two or more of (1) an average of at least
250 employees during the last financial year; (2) a
total balance sheet of more than 43,000,000 and
(3) an annual net turnover of more than 50,000,000,
as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts; and
(iii) to fewer than 100 natural or legal persons per Member
State.
United Kingdom
The notes may not be offered or sold and will not be offered or
sold to any persons in the United Kingdom other than to persons
whose ordinary activities involve them in acquiring, holding,
managing or disposing of investments (as principal or as agent)
for the purposes of their businesses and in compliance with all
applicable provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act
2000 (FSMA) with respect to anything done in
relation to the notes in, from or otherwise involving the United
Kingdom. In addition, each underwriter has only communicated or
caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to
be communicated any invitation or inducement to engage in
investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of
the FSMA) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of
notes in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA
does not apply to Ford. Without limitation to the other
restrictions referred to herein, this prospectus supplement is
directed only at (1) persons outside the United Kingdom,
(2) persons having professional experience in matters
relating to investments who fall within the definition of
investment professionals in Article 19(5) of
the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial
Promotion) Order 2005; or (3) high net worth bodies
corporate, unincorporated associations and partnerships and
trustees of high value trusts as described in Article 49(2)
of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial
Promotion) Order 2005. Without limitation to the other
restrictions referred to herein, any investment or investment
activity to which this prospectus supplement relate is available
only to, and will be engaged in only with, such persons, and
persons within the United Kingdom who receive this communication
(other than persons who fall within (2) or (3) above) should not
rely or act upon this communication.
S-64
France
This prospectus supplement or any related documents are not
being distributed in the context of a public offer in France
within the meaning of Article L.
411-1 of the
French Monetary and Financial Code (Code monétaire et
financier), and thus this prospectus supplement or any
related documents have not been and will not be submitted to the
Autorité des Marchés Financiers for approval in
France; the notes have not been offered or sold, and will not be
offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France
and this prospectus supplement any related documents to the
notes have not been distributed or caused to be distributed and
will not be distributed or caused to be distributed to the
public in France relating and any offers, sales and
distributions have been and will be made in France to
(i) qualified investors (investisseurs
qualifiés) and/or
a restricted group of investors (cercle restreint
dinvestisseurs), in each case, acting for their own
account, all as defined in, and in accordance with,
Articles L. 411-1,
L. 411-2,
D. 411-1
and
D. 411-2
of the French Monetary and Financial Code
and/or
(ii) persons providing portfolio management investment
services acting for third parties; and this prospectus
supplement is not to be further distributed or reproduced (in
whole or in part) in France by the recipients of this prospectus
supplement and this prospectus supplement has been distributed
on the understanding that such recipients will only participate
in the issue or sale of the notes for their own account and
undertake not to transfer, directly or indirectly, the notes to
the public in France, other than in compliance with all
applicable laws and regulations and in particular with
Articles L. 411-1
and
L. 411-2
of the French Monetary and Financial Code.
Hong Kong
The notes may not be offered or sold by means of any document
other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an
offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies
Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to
professional investors within the meaning of the
Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong)
and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other
circumstances which do not result in the document being a
prospectus within the meaning of the Companies
Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement,
invitation or document relating to the notes may be issued or
may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue
(in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is
directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed
or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do
so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to notes
which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons
outside Hong Kong or only to professional investors
within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.
571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.
Japan
The notes have not been and will not be registered under the
Securities and Exchange Law of Japan (the Securities and
Exchange Law) and the notes will not be offered or sold,
directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of,
any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any
person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other
entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for
re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a
resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the
registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with,
the Securities and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws,
regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.
Singapore
This prospectus supplement has not been registered as a
prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and any other document
or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation
for subscription or purchase, of the notes may not be circulated
or distributed, nor may the notes be offered or sold, or be made
the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase,
whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other
than (i) to an institutional investor under
Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act,
Chapter 289 of Singapore (the SFA),
(ii) to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to
Section 275(1A), and in accordance
S-65
with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA or
(iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the
conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.
Where the notes are subscribed or purchased under
Section 275 by a relevant person which is: (a) a
corporation (which is not an accredited investor) the sole
business of which is to hold investments and the entire share
capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of
whom is an accredited investor; or (b) a trust (where the
trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to
hold investments and each beneficiary is an accredited investor,
shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that
corporation or the beneficiaries rights and interest in
that trust shall not be transferable for 6 months after
that corporation or that trust has acquired the notes under
Section 275 except: (1) to an institutional investor
under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person, or
any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance
with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA;
(2) where no consideration is given for the transfer; or
(3) by operation of law.
S-66
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the notes and the validity of the Ford common
stock issuable upon conversion of the notes have been passed
upon for Ford by Peter Sherry, Jr., Secretary and Associate
General Counsel of Ford. Certain legal matters in connection
with the notes will be passed upon for Ford by Simpson
Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York, New York. In
addition, certain matters relating to United States federal
income tax considerations as noted under the heading
Certain United States Federal Income and Estate Tax
Considerations have been passed upon for Ford by Simpson
Thacher & Bartlett LLP. Certain legal matters in
connection with the notes will be passed upon for the
underwriters by Shearman & Sterling LLP, New York, New
York. Shearman & Sterling LLP have in the past
provided, and may continue to provide, legal services to Ford
and its subsidiaries. Mr. Sherry owns Ford common stock and
options to purchase additional shares of Ford common stock that
were granted to him pursuant to Fords management
compensation plans.
EXPERTS
The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus
supplement by reference to the Current Report on
Form 8-K
dated December 5, 2006 and managements assessment of
the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting
(which is included in Managements Report on Internal
Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this
prospectus supplement by reference to the Annual Report on
Form 10-K/A
for the year ended December 31, 2005 have been so
incorporated in reliance on the report (which contains an
adverse opinion on the effectiveness of internal control over
financial reporting as well as explanatory paragraphs relating
to (i) the Companys restatement of its financial
statements as described in Note 28 to the financial
statements and (ii) the exclusion of Automotive
Components Holdings, LLC from the assessment of internal
control over financial reporting as of December 31,
2005) of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent
registered public accounting firm, included in the Current
Report on
Form 8-K
dated December 5, 2006. The report of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is given on the authority of said
firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
With respect to the unaudited financial information of Ford
Motor Company for the three-month periods ended March 31,
2006 and 2005, the six-month periods ended June 30, 2006
and 2005 and the nine-month periods ended September 30,
2006 and 2005, incorporated by reference in this prospectus
supplement, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP reported that they have
applied limited procedures in accordance with professional
standards for a review of such information. However, their
separate reports dated May 8, 2006 (except for the effect
of the restatement of the financial statements, as to which date
is November 17, 2006), August 4, 2006 (except for the
effect of the restatement of the financial statements, as to
which date is November 17, 2006) and November 14,
2006 incorporated by reference herein states that they did not
audit and they do not express an opinion on that unaudited
financial information. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on
their reports on such information should be restricted in light
of the limited nature of the review procedures applied.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is not subject to the liability
provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 for
their reports on the unaudited financial information because
those reports are not reports or parts
of the registration statement prepared or certified by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP within the meaning of Sections 7
and 11 of the Act.
S-67
$10,000,000,000
Ford Motor Company
Senior Debt Securities,
Subordinated Debt Securities,
Preferred Stock, Depositary
Shares, Common Stock, Warrants,
Stock Purchase Contracts and Stock
Purchase Units
FORD MOTOR COMPANY CAPITAL
TRUST II
FORD MOTOR COMPANY CAPITAL
TRUST III
FORD MOTOR COMPANY CAPITAL
TRUST IV
Trust Preferred
Securities
Guaranteed as set forth herein
by
Ford Motor Company
This prospectus is part of registration statements that we and
the Ford Capital Trusts filed with the SEC utilizing a
shelf registration process. Under this shelf
process, we or, as applicable, the Ford Capital Trusts may, from
time to time, sell the following types of securities described
in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total dollar
amount of $10,000,000,000:
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our debt securities, in one or more series, which may be senior
debt securities or subordinated debt securities, in each case
consisting of notes, debentures or other unsecured evidences of
indebtedness;
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shares of our preferred stock;
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depositary shares representing a fraction of a share of our
preferred stock;
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shares of our common stock;
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warrants to purchase debt securities, preferred stock,
depositary shares or common stock;
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stock purchase contracts;
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stock purchase units;
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trust preferred securities issued by one of the Ford Capital
Trusts; or
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any combination of these securities.
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This prospectus provides you with a general description of the
securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will
provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific
information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus
supplement may also add, update or change information contained
in this prospectus.
You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus
supplement together with additional information described under
the heading WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION.
Our principal executive offices are located at:
Ford Motor Company
One American Road
Dearborn, Michigan 48126
313-322-3000
Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under
the symbol F.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved of these
securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
The date of this prospectus is January 24, 2002.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
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Page
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Where You Can Find More Information
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2
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Ford Motor Company
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3
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Ford Capital Trusts
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3
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Ratio of Earnings to Combined
Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends
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5
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Use of Proceeds
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5
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Description of Debt Securities
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5
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Description of Capital Stock
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11
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Common Stock and Class B Stock
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11
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Preferred Stock
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13
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Series B Preferred Stock
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13
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Description of Depositary Shares
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14
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Description of Warrants
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17
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Description of Stock Purchase
Contracts and Stock Purchase Units
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18
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Description of Trust Preferred
Securities
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18
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Description of Preferred
Securities Guarantees
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21
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Plan of Distribution
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23
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Legal Opinions
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25
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Experts
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25
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You should rely only on the information contained
or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any
accompanying prospectus supplement. No one has been authorized
to provide you with different information.
The securities are not being
offered in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted.
You should not assume that the
information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is
accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of the
documents.
i
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and special reports and other
information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
SEC). You may read and copy any document we file at
the SECs public reference room at 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330
for further information on the public reference room. Our SEC
filings also are available to you at the SECs web site at
http://www.sec.gov.
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the
information we file with them into this prospectus, which means
that we can disclose important information to you by referring
you to those documents and those documents will be considered
part of this prospectus. Information that we file later with the
SEC will automatically update and supersede the previously filed
information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed
below and any future filings made with the SEC under
Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 until this offering has been completed.
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Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2000 (our 2000
10-K
Report).
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Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended
March 31, 2001, June 30, 2001 and September 30,
2001 (collectively, our
10-Q
Reports).
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Current Reports on Form 8-K dated and filed on the
following dates:
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Dated
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Filed
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March 29, 2001
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March 29, 2001
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April 3, 2001
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April 3, 2001
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April 19, 2001
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April 19, 2001
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May 1, 2001
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May 1, 2001
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May 22, 2001
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May 23, 2001
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June 1, 2001
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June 1, 2001
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June 12, 2001
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June 12, 2001
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July 3, 2001
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July 3, 2001
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July 18, 2001
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July 18, 2001
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August 1, 2001
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August 1, 2001
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August 17, 2001
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August 17, 2001
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September 4, 2001
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September 4, 2001
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September 14, 2001
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September 14, 2001
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October 2, 2001
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October 2, 2001
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October 10, 2001
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October 11, 2001
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October 17, 2001
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October 17, 2001
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October 18, 2001
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October 18, 2001
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October 24, 2001
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October 24, 2001
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October 30, 2001
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October 30, 2001
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November 1, 2001
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November 1, 2001
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December 3, 2001
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December 3, 2001
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December 5, 2001
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December 5, 2001
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January 3, 2002
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January 3, 2002
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January 11, 2002
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January 11, 2002
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January 17, 2002
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January 17, 2002
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You may request copies of these filings at no cost, by writing
or telephoning us at the following address:
Ford Motor Company
One American Road
Dearborn, MI 48126
Attn: Shareholder Relations Department
800-555-5259 or 313-845-8540
Each of the Ford Capital Trusts is a newly formed special
purpose entity, has no operating history or independent
operations and is not engaged in and does not propose to engage
in any activity other
2
than its holding as trust assets our subordinated debt
securities and the issuing of the trust preferred securities.
Further, 100% of the outstanding voting securities of each of
the trusts is or will be owned by us and the preferred
securities guarantee that we will issue in connection with any
issuance of trust preferred securities by the trusts, together
with our obligations under the subordinated debt securities and
related agreements and instruments, will constitute a full and
unconditional guarantee on a subordinated basis by us of
payments due on the trust preferred securities. Accordingly,
pursuant to
Rule 3-10(b)
of
Regulation S-X
under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, no separate financial statements for any of the trusts
have been included or incorporated by reference in the
registration statements and pursuant to
Rule 12h-5
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 none of the trusts
will be subject to the information reporting requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
We incorporated in Delaware in 1919. We acquired the business of
a Michigan company, also known as Ford Motor Company,
incorporated in 1903 to produce and sell automobiles designed
and engineered by Henry Ford. We are the worlds second
largest producer of cars and trucks combined. We and our
subsidiaries also engage in other businesses, including
financing and renting vehicles and equipment.
Our business is divided into two business sectors: the
Automotive sector and the Financial Services sector. We manage
these sectors as three primary operating segments as described
below.
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Business Sectors
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Operating Segments
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Description
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Automotive:
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Automotive
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design, manufacture, sale and
service of cars and trucks
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Financial Services:
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Ford Motor Credit Company
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vehicle-related financing, leasing
and insurance
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The Hertz Corporation
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renting and leasing of cars,
trucks and industrial and construction equipment, and other
activities
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FORD CAPITAL TRUSTS
The three trusts, Ford Motor Company Capital Trust II, III
and IV (collectively, the Ford Capital Trusts), are
Delaware business trusts formed to raise capital for us by
issuing preferred securities under this prospectus and a
prospectus supplement, and investing the proceeds in
subordinated debt securities issued by us.
We will directly or indirectly own all of the common securities
of each of the Ford Capital Trusts. The common securities will
rank equally with, and each trust will make payments on the
common securities in proportion to, the trust preferred
securities, except that if an event of default occurs under the
declaration of one of the trusts, our rights, as holder of the
common securities, to payments will be subordinated to your
rights as holder of the trust preferred securities. We will,
directly or indirectly, acquire common securities in an
aggregate liquidation amount equal to three percent of the total
capital of each of our trusts.
As holder of the common securities of the trusts, we are
entitled to appoint, remove or replace any of, or increase or
decrease the number of, the trustees of each of our trusts,
provided that the number of trustees shall be at least three.
Each of the trusts business and affairs will be conducted
by the trustees we appoint. The trustees duties and
obligations are governed by the trusts declarations. Prior
to the issuance of any trust preferred securities, we will
ensure that one trustee of each trust is a financial institution
that will not be an affiliate of ours and that will act as
property trustee and indenture trustee for purposes of the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 (the Trust Indenture Act). In
addition, unless the property trustee maintains a principal
place of business in the State of
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Delaware and meets the other requirements of applicable law, one
trustee of each of the trusts will have its principal place of
business or reside in the State of Delaware.
We will pay all of the trusts fees and expenses, including
those relating to any offering of trust preferred securities. In
addition, we will enter into a guarantee with respect to each
series of trust preferred securities under which we will
irrevocably and unconditionally agree to make certain payments
to the holders of that series of trust preferred securities,
subject to applicable subordination provisions, except that the
guarantee will only apply when the trust has sufficient funds
immediately available to make those payments but has not made
them.
The principal office of each of the trusts is c/o Ford Motor
Company, One American Road, Dearborn, Michigan 48126 USA
and the telephone number is
313-322-3000.
4
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED
STOCK DIVIDENDS
The ratio of our earnings to our combined
fixed charges and preferred stock dividends was as
follows for each of the periods indicated:
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Years Ended December 31
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2001
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2000
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1999
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1998
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1997
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1.7
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2.0
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3.6
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1.9
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*
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Earnings for the year ended December 31, 2001 were
inadequate to cover fixed charges. The coverage deficiency was
$6.8 billion.
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Earnings used in calculation of this ratio include the
$15,955 million gain on the spin-off of our interest in
Associates First Capital Corporation. Excluding this gain, the
ratio would have been 1.9.
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For purposes of the ratio, earnings means the sum of:
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our pre-tax income from continuing operations,
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any income we received from less-than-fifty-percent-owned
companies, and
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our fixed charges, excluding capitalized interest and preferred
stock dividend requirements of our consolidated subsidiaries and
trusts.
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Fixed charges and preferred stock dividends means
the sum of:
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the interest we pay on borrowed funds,
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the preferred stock dividend requirements of our consolidated
subsidiaries and trusts,
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the amount we amortize for debt discount, premium, and issuance
expense,
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one-third of all our rental expenses (the proportion deemed
representative of the interest factor), and
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our preferred stock dividend requirements, increased to an
amount representing the pre-tax earnings required to cover such
dividend requirements based on our effective income tax rates.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
We, or our affiliates, will use the net proceeds from the sale
of securities for general corporate purposes, unless we state
otherwise in a prospectus supplement. If we intend to use the
proceeds to repay outstanding debt, we will provide details
about the debt that is being repaid. Each of the Ford Capital
Trusts will invest all proceeds received from the sale of its
trust preferred securities in a particular series of
subordinated debt securities to be issued by us.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
We will issue debt securities in one or more series under an
Indenture between us and JPMorgan Chase Bank, Trustee. The
Indenture may be supplemented from time to time.
The Indenture is a contract between us and JPMorgan Chase Bank
acting as Trustee. The Trustee has two main roles. First, the
Trustee can enforce your rights against us if an Event of
Default described below occurs. Second, the Trustee
performs certain administrative duties for us.
The Indenture is summarized below. Because it is a summary, it
does not contain all of the information that may be important to
you. We filed the Indenture as an exhibit to the registration
statement, and we suggest that you read those parts of the
Indenture that are important to you. You especially need to read
the Indenture to get a complete understanding of your rights and
our obligations under the covenants described below under
Limitation on Liens, Limitation on Sales and Leasebacks and
Merger and Consolidation. Throughout the summary we have
included parenthetical references to the Indenture so that you
can easily locate the provisions being discussed.
The specific terms of each series of debt securities will be
described in the particular prospectus supplement relating to
that series. The prospectus supplement may or may not modify the
general terms found in this prospectus and will be filed with
the SEC. For a complete description of the terms
5
of a particular series of debt securities, you should read both
this prospectus and the prospectus supplement relating to that
particular series.
General
The debt securities offered by this prospectus will be limited
to a total amount of $10,000,000,000, or the equivalent amount
in any currency. The Indenture, however, does not limit the
amount of debt securities that may be issued under it.
Therefore, additional debt securities may be issued under the
Indenture.
The prospectus supplement, which will accompany this prospectus,
will describe the particular series of debt securities being
offered by including:
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the designation or title of the series of debt securities;
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the total principal amount of the series of debt securities;
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the percentage of the principal amount at which the series of
debt securities will be offered;
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the date or dates on which principal will be payable;
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the rate or rates (which may be either fixed or variable) and/or
the method of determining such rate or rates of interest, if any;
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the date or dates from which any interest will accrue, or the
method of determining such date or dates, and the date or dates
on which any interest will be payable;
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the terms for redemption, extension or early repayment, if any;
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the currencies in which the series of debt securities are issued
and payable;
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the provision for any sinking fund;
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any additional restrictive covenants;
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any additional Events of Default;
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whether the series of debt securities are issuable in
certificated form;
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any provisions modifying the defeasance and covenant defeasance
provisions;
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any special tax implications, including provisions for original
issue discount;
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any provisions for convertibility or exchangeability of the debt
securities into or for any other securities;
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whether the debt securities are subject to subordination and the
terms of such subordination; and
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any other terms.
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The debt securities will be our unsecured obligations. Senior
debt securities will rank equally with our other unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness (parent company only). Subordinated
debt securities will be unsecured and subordinated in right of
payment to the prior payment in full of all of our unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness. See
Subordination.
Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, principal
(and premium, if any) and interest, if any, will be paid by us
in immediately available funds.
The Indenture does not contain any provisions that give you
protection in the event we issue a large amount of debt or we
are acquired by another entity.
Limitation on Liens
The Indenture restricts our ability to pledge some of our assets
as security for other debt. Unless we secure the debt securities
on an equal basis, the restriction does not permit us to have or
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guarantee any debt that is secured by (1) any of our
principal U.S. plants or (2) the stock or debt of any of
our subsidiaries that own or lease one of these plants. This
restriction does not apply until the total amount of our secured
debt plus the discounted value of the amount of rent we must pay
under sale and leaseback transactions involving principal U.S.
plants exceeds 5% of our consolidated net tangible automotive
assets. This restriction also does not apply to any of the
following:
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liens of a company that exist at the time such company becomes
our subsidiary;
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liens in our favor or in the favor of our
subsidiaries;
certain liens given to a government;
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liens on property that exist at the time we acquire the property
or liens that we give to secure our paying for the property; and
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any extension or replacement of any of the above.
(Section 10.04)
Limitation on Sales and Leasebacks
The Indenture prohibits us from selling and leasing back any
principal U.S. plant for a term of more than three years. This
restriction does not apply if:
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we could create secured debt in an amount equal to the
discounted value of the rent to be paid under the lease without
violating the limitation on liens provision discussed above;
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the lease is with or between any of our subsidiaries; or
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within 120 days of selling the U.S. plant, we retire our funded
debt in an amount equal to the net proceeds from the sale of the
plant or the fair market value of the plant, whichever is
greater.
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Merger and Consolidation
The Indenture prohibits us from merging or consolidating with
any company, or selling all or substantially all of our assets
to any company, if after we do so the surviving company would
violate the limitation on liens or the limitation on sales and
leasebacks discussed above. This does not apply if the surviving
company secures the debt securities on an equal basis with the
other secured debt of the company. (Sections 8.01 and 8.03)
Events of Default and Notice Thereof
The Indenture defines an Event of Default as being
any one of the following events:
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failure to pay interest for 30 days after becoming due;
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failure to pay principal or any premium for five business days
after becoming due;
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failure to make a sinking fund payment for five days after
becoming due;
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failure to perform any other covenant applicable to the debt
securities for 90 days after notice;
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certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; and
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any other Event of Default provided in the prospectus supplement.
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An Event of Default for a particular series of debt securities
will not necessarily constitute an Event of Default for any
other series of debt securities issued under the Indenture.
(Section 5.01.)
If an Event of Default occurs and continues, the Trustee or the
holders of at least 25% of the total principal amount of the
series may declare the entire principal amount (or, if they are
Original Issue Discount Securities (as defined in the
Indenture), the portion of the principal amount as specified in
the terms of such series) of all of the debt securities of that
series to be due and payable immediately. If this happens,
subject to certain conditions, the holders of a majority of the
total principal amount of the debt securities of that series can
void the declaration. (Section 5.02.)
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The Indenture provides that within 90 days after default under a
series of debt securities, the Trustee will give the holders of
that series notice of all uncured defaults known to it. (The
term default includes the events specified above
without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice.)
The Trustee may withhold notice of any default (except a default
in the payment of principal, interest or any premium) if it
believes that it is in the interest of the holders.
(Section 6.01.)
Annually, we must send to the Trustee a certificate describing
any existing defaults under the Indenture. (Section 10.06.)
Other than its duties in case of a default, the Trustee is not
obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under the
Indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders,
unless the holders offer the Trustee reasonable protection from
expenses and liability. (Section 6.02.) If they provide this
reasonable indemnification, the holders of a majority of the
total principal amount of any series of debt securities may
direct the Trustee how to act under the Indenture.
(Section 5.12.)
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, we will have
two options to discharge our obligations under a series of debt
securities before their maturity date. These options are known
as defeasance and covenant defeasance.
Defeasance means that we will be deemed to have paid the entire
amount of the applicable series of debt securities and we will
be released from all of our obligations relating to that series
(except for certain obligations, such as registering transfers
of the securities). Covenant defeasance means that as to the
applicable series of debt securities we will not have to comply
with the covenants described above under Limitation on Liens,
Limitation on Sales and Leasebacks and Merger and Consolidation.
In addition, if the prospectus supplement states that any
additional covenants relating to that series of debt securities
are subject to the covenant defeasance provision in the
Indenture, then we also would not have to comply with those
covenants. (Sections 14.01, 14.02 and 14.03.)
To elect either defeasance or covenant defeasance for any series
of debt securities, we must deposit with the Trustee an amount
of money and/or U.S. government obligations that will be
sufficient to pay principal, interest and any premium or sinking
fund payments on the debt securities when those amounts are
scheduled to be paid. In addition, we must provide a legal
opinion stating that as a result of the defeasance or covenant
defeasance you will not be required to recognize income, gain or
loss for federal income tax purposes and you will be subject to
federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and
at the same times as if the defeasance or covenant defeasance
had not occurred. For defeasance, that opinion must be based on
either an Internal Revenue Service ruling or a change in law
since the date the debt securities were issued. We must also
meet other conditions, such as there being no Events of Default.
The amount deposited with the Trustee can be decreased at a
later date if in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of
independent public accountants the deposits are greater than the
amount then needed to pay principal, interest and any premium or
sinking fund payments on the debt securities when those amounts
are scheduled to be paid. (Sections 14.04 and 14.05.)
Our obligations relating to the debt securities will be
reinstated if the Trustee is unable to pay the debt securities
with the deposits held in trust, due to an order of any court or
governmental authority. (Section 14.06.) It is possible
that a series of debt securities for which we elect covenant
defeasance may later be declared immediately due in full because
of an Event of Default (not relating to the covenants that were
defeased). If that happens, we must pay the debt securities in
full at that time, using the deposits held in trust or other
money. (Section 14.03.)
Modification of the Indenture
With certain exceptions, our rights and obligations and your
rights under a particular series of debt securities may be
modified with the consent of the holders of not less than
two-thirds of the total principal amount of those debt
securities. No modification of the principal or interest payment
terms,
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and no modification reducing the percentage required for
modifications, will be effective against you without your
consent. (Section 9.02.)
Subordination
The extent to which a particular series of subordinated debt
securities is subordinated to our Senior Indebtedness (as
defined below) will be set forth in the prospectus supplement
for that series and the Indenture may be modified by a
supplemental indenture to reflect such subordination provisions.
The particular terms of subordination of an issue of
subordinated debt securities may supersede the general
provisions of the Indenture summarized below.
The Indenture provides that any subordinated debt securities
will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of our
Senior Indebtedness. This means that in the event we become
subject to any insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership,
liquidation, reorganization or similar proceeding or we
voluntarily liquidate, dissolve or otherwise wind up our
affairs, then the holders of all Senior Indebtedness will be
entitled to be paid in full, before the holders of any
subordinated debt securities are paid. In addition, (a) if
we default in the payment of any Senior Indebtedness or if any
event of default exists and all grace periods with respect
thereto have expired under any Senior indebtedness, then, so
long as any such default continues, no payment can be made on
the subordinated debt securities; and (b) if any series of
subordinated debt securities are declared due and payable before
their stated maturity because of the occurrence of an Event of
Default under the Indenture (other than because of our
insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation,
reorganization or the like), then no payment on the subordinated
debt securities can be made unless holders of the Senior
Indebtedness are paid in full.
The term Senior Indebtedness means (a) the
principal of and premium, if any, and interest on all of our
indebtedness, whether presently outstanding or later created,
(i) for money we borrow, (ii) constituting obligations
of others that we either assume or guarantee, (iii) in
respect of letters of credit and acceptances issued or made by
banks, or (iv) constituting purchase money indebtedness,
which means indebtedness, the proceeds of which we use to
acquire property or which we issue as all or part of our payment
for such property, (b) all deferrals, renewals, extensions
and refundings of, and amendments, modifications and supplements
to, any such indebtedness, and (c) all of our other general
unsecured obligations and liabilities, including trade payables.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Senior Indebtedness does not
include any of our indebtedness that by its terms is subordinate
in right of payment to or of equal rank with the subordinated
debt securities.
Global Securities
Unless otherwise stated in a prospectus supplement, the debt
securities of a series will be issued in the form of one or more
global certificates that will be deposited with The Depository
Trust Company, New York, New York (DTC), which will
act as depositary for the global certificates. Beneficial
interests in global certificates will be shown on, and transfers
of global certificates will be effected only through, records
maintained by DTC and its participants. Therefore, if you wish
to own debt securities that are represented by one or more
global certificates, you can do so only indirectly or
beneficially through an account with a broker, bank
or other financial institution that has an account with DTC
(that is, a DTC participant) or through an account directly with
DTC if you are a DTC participant.
While the debt securities are represented by one or more global
certificates:
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You will not be able to have the debt securities registered in
your name.
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You will not be able to receive a physical certificate for the
debt securities.
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Our obligations, as well as the obligations of the Trustee and
any of our agents, under the debt securities will run only to
DTC as the registered owner of the debt securities. For example,
once we make payment to DTC, we will have no further
responsibility for the
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payment even if DTC or your broker, bank or other financial
institution fails to pass it on so that you receive it.
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Your rights under the debt securities relating to payments,
transfers, exchanges and other matters will be governed by
applicable law and by the contractual arrangements between you
and your broker, bank or other financial institution, and/or the
contractual arrangements you or your broker, bank or financial
institution has with DTC. Neither we nor the Trustee has any
responsibility for the actions of DTC or your broker, bank or
financial institution.
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You may not be able to sell your interests in the debt
securities to some insurance companies and others who are
required by law to own their debt securities in the form of
physical certificates.
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Because the debt securities will trade in DTCs Same-Day
Funds Settlement System, when you buy or sell interests in the
debt securities, payment for them will have to be made in
immediately available funds. This could affect the
attractiveness of the debt securities to others.
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A global certificate generally can be transferred only as a
whole, unless it is being transferred to certain nominees of the
depositary or it is exchanged in whole or in part for debt
securities in physical form. (Section 2.05.) If a global
certificate is exchanged for debt securities in physical form,
they will be in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples
thereof, or another denomination stated in the prospectus
supplement.
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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
This section contains a description of our capital stock. This
description includes not only our common stock, but also our
Class B stock and preferred stock, including our
outstanding Series B preferred stock, certain terms of
which affect the common stock. The following summary of the
terms of our capital stock is not meant to be complete and is
qualified by reference to our restated certificate of
incorporation. See Where You Can Find More
Information.
Our authorized capital stock currently consists of 6,000,000,000
shares of common stock, 530,117,376 shares of Class B stock
and 30,000,000 shares of preferred stock.
As of December 31, 2001, we had outstanding 1,738,225,293
shares of common stock, 70,852,076 shares of Class B stock
and 7,096,688 depositary shares, each representing 1/2,000th of
a share of Series B preferred stock, with a liquidation
preference equal to $25.00 per depositary share.
Common Stock and Class B Stock
Rights to Dividends and on Liquidation. Each
share of common stock and Class B stock is entitled to
share equally in dividends (other than dividends declared with
respect to any outstanding preferred stock) when and as declared
by our board of directors, except as stated below under the
subheading Stock Dividends. Upon liquidation,
subject to the rights of any other class or series of stock
having a preference on liquidation, each share of common stock
will be entitled to the first $.50 available for distribution to
common and Class B stockholders, each share of Class B
stock will be entitled to the next $1.00 so available, each
share of common stock will be entitled to the next $.50
available and each share of common and Class B stock will
be entitled to an equal amount after that. Any outstanding
preferred stock would rank senior to the common stock and
Class B Stock in respect of liquidation rights and could
rank senior to that stock in respect of dividend rights.
Voting General. All general
voting power is vested in the holders of common stock and the
holders of Class B stock, voting together without regard to
class, except as stated below in the subheading Voting by
Class. The voting power of the shares of stock is
determined as described below. However, we could in the future
create series of preferred stock with voting rights equal to or
greater than our common stock or Class B stock.
Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote per share,
and each holder of Class B stock is entitled to a number of
votes per share derived by a formula contained in our restated
certificate of incorporation. As long as at least 60,749,880
shares of Class B stock remain outstanding, the formula
will result in holders of Class B stock having 40% of the
general voting power and holders of common stock and, if issued,
any preferred stock with voting power having 60% of the general
voting power.
If the number of outstanding shares of Class B stock falls
below 60,749,880, but remains at least 33,749,932, then the
formula will result in the general voting power of holders of
Class B stock declining to 30% and the general voting power
of holders of common stock and, if issued, any preferred stock
with voting power increasing to 70%.
If the number of outstanding shares of Class B stock falls
below 33,749,932, then each holder of Class B stock will be
entitled to only one vote per share.
Based on the number of shares of Class B stock and common
stock outstanding as of December 31, 2001, each holder of
Class B stock is entitled to 16.355 votes per share. Of the
outstanding Class B stock as of March 1, 2001,
47,101,508 shares were held in a voting trust. The trust
requires the trustee to vote all the shares in the trust as
directed by holders of a plurality of the shares in the trust.
Right of Preferred Stock to Elect a Maximum of Two
Directors in Event of Default. It would be
customary for any preferred stock that we may issue to provide
that if at any time we are delinquent in the payment of six or
more quarters worth of dividends (whether or not
consecutive), the holders of the preferred stock, voting as a
class, would be entitled to elect two directors (who
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would be in addition to the directors elected by the
stockholders generally). These voting rights are required to be
provided if the preferred stock is listed on the New York Stock
Exchange and are provided for in our Series B preferred
stock.
Non-Cumulative Voting Rights. Our common
stock and Class B stock, as well as any preferred stock
with voting power we may issue, do not and will not have
cumulative voting rights. This means that the holders who have
more than 50% of the votes for the election of directors can
elect 100% of the directors if they choose to do so.
Voting by Class. If we want to take any of
the following actions, we must obtain the vote of the holders of
a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B stock,
voting as a class:
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issue any additional shares of Class B stock (with certain
exceptions);
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reduce the number of outstanding shares of Class B stock
other than by holders of Class B stock converting
Class B stock into common stock or selling it to the
Company;
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change the capital stock provisions of our restated certificate
of incorporation;
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merge or consolidate with or into another corporation;
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dispose of all or substantially all of our property and assets;
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transfer any assets to another corporation and in connection
therewith distribute stock or other securities of that
corporation to our stockholders; or
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voluntarily liquidate or dissolve.
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Voting Provisions of Delaware Law. In
addition to the votes described above, any special requirements
of Delaware law must be met. The Delaware General Corporation
Law contains provisions on the votes required to amend
certificates of incorporation, merge or consolidate, sell, lease
or exchange all or substantially all assets, and voluntarily
dissolve.
Ownership and Conversion of Class B
Stock. In general, only members of the Ford family
or their descendants or trusts or corporations in which they
have specified interests can own or be registered as record
holders of shares of Class B stock, or can enjoy for their
own benefit the special rights and powers of Class B stock.
A holder of shares of Class B stock can convert those
shares into an equal number of shares of common stock for the
purpose of selling or disposing of those shares. Shares of
Class B stock acquired by the Company or converted into
common stock cannot be reissued by the Company.
Preemptive and Other Subscription
Rights. Holders of common stock do not have any
right to purchase additional shares of common stock if we sell
shares to others. If, however, we sell Class B stock or
obligations or shares convertible into Class B stock
(subject to the limits on who can own Class B stock
described above), then holders of Class B stock will have a
right to purchase, on a ratable basis and at a price just as
favorable, additional shares of Class B stock or those
obligations or shares convertible into Class B stock.
In addition, if shares of common stock (or shares or obligations
convertible into such stock) are offered to holders of common
stock, then we must offer to the holders of Class B stock
shares of Class B stock (or shares or obligations
convertible into such stock), on a ratable basis, and at the
same price per share.
Stock Dividends. If we declare and pay a
dividend in our stock, we must pay it in shares of common stock
to holders of common stock and in shares of Class B stock
to holders of Class B stock.
Ultimate Rights of Holders of Class B
Stock. If and when the number of outstanding shares
of Class B stock falls below 33,749,932, the Class B
stock will become freely transferable and will become
substantially equivalent to common stock. At that time, holders
of Class B stock will have one vote for each share held,
will have no special class vote, will be offered common stock if
common
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stock is offered to holders of common stock, will receive common
stock if a stock dividend is declared, and will have the right
to convert such shares into an equal number of shares of common
stock irrespective of the purpose of conversion.
Miscellaneous; Dilution. If we increase the
number of outstanding shares of Class B stock (by, for
example, doing a stock split or stock dividend), or if we
consolidate or combine all outstanding shares of Class B
stock so that the number of outstanding shares is reduced, then
the threshold numbers of outstanding Class B stock (that
is, 60,749,880 and 33,749,932) that trigger voting power changes
will automatically adjust by a proportionate amount.
Preferred Stock
We may issue preferred stock from time to time in one or more
series, without stockholder approval. Subject to limitations
prescribed by law, our board of directors is authorized to fix
for any series of preferred stock the number of shares of such
series and the designation, relative powers, preferences and
rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of
such series.
For any series of preferred stock that we may issue, our board
of directors will determine and the prospectus supplement
relating to such series will describe:
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The designation and number of shares of such series;
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The rate and time at which, and the preferences and conditions
under which, any dividends will be paid on shares of such
series, as well as whether such dividends are cumulative or
non-cumulative and participating or non-participating;
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Any provisions relating to convertibility or exchangeability of
the shares of such series;
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The rights and preferences, if any, of holders of shares of such
series upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our
affairs;
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The voting powers, if any, of the holders of shares of such
series;
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Any provisions relating to the redemption of the shares of such
series;
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Any limitations on our ability to pay dividends or make
distributions on, or acquire or redeem, other securities while
shares of such series are outstanding;
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Any conditions or restrictions on our ability to issue
additional shares of such series or other securities;
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Any other relative power, preferences and participating,
optional or special rights of shares of such series, and the
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof.
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All shares of preferred stock that we may issue will be
identical and of equal rank except as to the particular terms
thereof that may be fixed by our board of directors, and all
shares of each series of preferred stock will be identical and
of equal rank except as to the dates from which cumulative
dividends, if any, thereon will be cumulative.
Series B Preferred Stock
General. Our Series B preferred stock is
not convertible into any other securities. We are not obligated
to redeem or retire the Series B preferred stock.
Ranking. The Series B preferred stock
ranks senior to the common stock and Class B stock with
respect to dividends and upon liquidation. Generally, this means
that we cannot pay dividends on our common stock and
Class B stock unless we have paid the full amount of the
dividends on the Series B preferred stock that are due and
owing at that time. Also, if we are dissolved or liquidated,
holders of the Series B preferred stock are required to be
paid the full amount of the liquidation preference ($50,000 per
share) before any assets can be distributed to holders of common
stock or Class B stock.
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While Series B preferred stock is outstanding, we cannot
create any class of stock that ranks senior to the Series B
preferred stock with respect to dividends or upon liquidation
without the consent of the holders of two-thirds of the
outstanding shares of Series B preferred stock.
Dividends. Holders of Series B preferred
stock are entitled to receive, when and as declared by our board
of directors, cumulative cash dividends at the rate per annum of
8.25% per share on the liquidation preference of the
Series B preferred stock. We pay dividends on the
Series B preferred stock quarterly on the first business
day of March, June, September and December of each year.
Redemption. We cannot redeem the
Series B preferred stock before December 1, 2002, but
we can redeem it anytime on and after that date. If we decide to
redeem, we can redeem all of the outstanding shares at once, or
we can redeem some of the shares at different times. The
redemption price is $50,000 per share, plus an amount equal to
accrued and unpaid dividends.
We cannot redeem less than all of the outstanding shares of
Series B preferred stock unless we have paid the full
amount of the dividends on the Series B preferred stock and
any other preferred stock ranking equal to the Series B
preferred stock that are due and owing at that time.
We also cannot purchase through voluntary sales any shares of
Series B preferred stock or any equally ranking preferred
stock unless (i) we have paid the full amount of the
dividends on the Series B preferred stock and any equally
ranking preferred stock that are due and owing at the time or
(ii) the purchases are pursuant to a purchase or exchange
offer made on the same terms to all holders of Series B
preferred stock and any equally ranking preferred stock.
We cannot redeem any shares of Series B preferred stock
unless we have sold enough common stock during the two-year
period before the redemption so that the money we received from
those sales at least equals the liquidation preference ($50,000
per share) of the Series B preferred stock we want to
redeem.
Voting Rights. The only voting rights the
holders of shares of Series B preferred stock have are
those described below:
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If we are delinquent in the payment of six or more
quarters worth of dividends (whether or not consecutive)
on the Series B preferred stock, then the number of
directors of the Company will be increased by two and the
holders of shares of Series B preferred stock, voting
together as a class with the holders of any other series of
preferred stock which have the same voting rights, will have the
right to elect the two additional directors to our board of
directors at our next annual meeting of stockholders and at each
subsequent annual meeting until all such dividends on the
Series B preferred stock (and on any other series of
preferred stock having the same voting rights) have been paid in
full.
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If we want to change our restated certificate of incorporation
in a way that would materially and adversely affect the holders
of the Series B preferred stock or if we want to create or
increase the amount of any class of stock with rights as to
dividends and liquidation that are greater than the
Series B preferred stock, then we must get the approval of
holders of at least two thirds of the outstanding shares of
Series B preferred stock.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
We may elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock
rather than full shares of preferred stock. In that event, we
will issue to the public receipts for depositary shares, and
each of these depositary shares will represent a fraction (to be
set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement) of a share of
a particular series of preferred stock.
The shares of any series of preferred stock underlying the
depositary shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement
between us and a bank or trust company selected by us. The
depositary will have its principal office in the United States
and a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.
Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a
depositary share will be
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entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of
preferred stock underlying the depositary share, to all the
rights and preferences of the preferred stock underlying that
depositary share. Those rights may include dividend, voting,
redemption, conversion and liquidation rights.
The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts
issued under a deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be
distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of
preferred stock underlying the depositary shares, in accordance
with the terms of the offering. The following description of the
material terms of the deposit agreement, the depositary shares
and the depositary receipts is only a summary and you should
refer to the forms of the deposit agreement and depositary
receipts that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the
offering of the specific depositary shares.
Pending the preparation of definitive engraved depositary
receipts, the depositary may, upon our written order, issue
temporary depositary receipts substantially identical to the
definitive depositary receipts but not in definitive form. These
temporary depositary receipts entitle their holders to all the
rights of definitive depositary receipts. Temporary depositary
receipts will then be exchangeable for definitive depositary
receipts at our expense.
Dividends and Other Distributions. The
depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash
distributions received with respect to the underlying stock to
the record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the
number of depositary shares owned by those holders.
If there is a distribution other than in cash, the depositary
will distribute property received by it to the record holders of
depositary shares that are entitled to receive the distribution,
unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make
the distribution. If this occurs, the depositary may, with our
approval, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from
the sale to the applicable holders.
Withdrawal of Underlying Preferred
Stock. Unless we say otherwise in a prospectus
supplement, holders may surrender depositary receipts at the
principal office of the depositary and, upon payment of any
unpaid amount due to the depositary, be entitled to receive the
number of whole shares of underlying preferred stock and all
money and other property represented by the related depositary
shares. We will not issue any partial shares of preferred stock.
If the holder delivers depositary receipts evidencing a number
of depositary shares that represent more than a whole number of
shares of preferred stock, the depositary will issue a new
depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary
shares to that holder.
Redemption of Depositary Shares. If a series
of preferred stock represented by depositary shares is subject
to redemption, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the
proceeds received by the depositary resulting from the
redemption, in whole or in part, of that series of underlying
stock held by the depositary. The redemption price per
depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the
redemption price per share payable with respect to that series
of underlying stock. Whenever we redeem shares of underlying
stock that are held by the depositary, the depositary will
redeem, as of the same redemption date, the number of depositary
shares representing the shares of underlying stock so redeemed.
If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the
depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or
proportionately or other equitable method, as may be determined
by the depositary.
Voting. Upon receipt of notice of any meeting
at which the holders of the underlying stock are entitled to
vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the
notice to the record holders of the depositary shares underlying
the preferred stock. Each record holder of the depositary shares
on the record date (which will be the same date as the record
date for the underlying stock) will be entitled to instruct the
depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to
the amount of the underlying stock represented by that
holders depositary shares. The depositary will then try,
as far as practicable, to vote the number of shares of preferred
stock underlying those depositary shares in accordance with
those instructions, and we will agree to take all actions which
may be deemed necessary by the depositary to enable the
depositary to do so. The depositary will not vote the
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underlying shares to the extent it does not receive specific
instructions with respect to the depositary shares representing
the preferred stock.
Conversion or Exchange of Preferred Stock. If
the deposited preferred stock is convertible into or
exchangeable for other securities, the following will apply. The
depositary shares, as such, will not be convertible into or
exchangeable for such other securities. Rather, any holder of
the depositary shares may surrender the related depositary
receipts, together with any amounts payable by the holder in
connection with the conversion or the exchange, to the
depositary with written instructions to cause conversion or
exchange of the preferred stock represented by the depositary
shares into or for such other securities. If only some of the
depositary shares are to be converted or exchanged, a new
depositary receipt or receipts will be issued for any depositary
shares not to be converted or exchanged.
Amendment and Termination of the Deposit
Agreement. The form of depositary receipt
evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the
deposit agreement may at any time be amended by agreement
between us and the depositary. However, any amendment which
materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of
depositary shares will not be effective unless the amendment has
been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the
depositary shares then outstanding. The deposit agreement may be
terminated by us upon not less than 60 days notice
whereupon the depositary shall deliver or make available to each
holder of depositary shares, upon surrender of the depositary
receipts held by such holder, the number of whole or fractional
shares of preferred stock represented by such receipts. The
deposit agreement will automatically terminate if (a) all
outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed or converted
into or exchanged for any other securities into or for which the
underlying preferred stock is convertible exchangeable or
(b) there has been a final distribution of the underlying
stock in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or winding
up and the underlying stock has been distributed to the holders
of depositary receipts.
Charges of Depositary. We will pay all
transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely
from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will also
pay charges of the depositary in connection with its duties
under the deposit agreement. Holders of depositary receipts will
pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and
those other charges, including a fee for any permitted
withdrawal of shares of underlying stock upon surrender of
depositary receipts, as are expressly provided in the deposit
agreement to be for their accounts.
Reports. The depositary will forward to
holders of depositary receipts all reports and communications
from us that we deliver to the depositary and that we are
required to furnish to the holders of the underlying stock.
Limitation on Liability. Neither we nor the
depositary will be liable if either of us is prevented or
delayed by law or any circumstance beyond our control in
performing our respective obligations under the deposit
agreement. Our obligations and those of the depositary will be
limited to performance in good faith of our respective duties
under the deposit agreement. Neither we nor the depositary will
be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in
respect of any depositary shares or underlying stock unless
satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the depositary may
rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon
information provided by persons presenting underlying stock for
deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons
believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.
In the event the depositary receives conflicting claims,
requests or instructions from any holders of depositary shares,
on the one hand, and us, on the other, the depositary will act
on our claims, requests or instructions.
Resignation and Removal of Depositary. The
depositary may resign at any time by delivering notice to us of
its election to resign. We may remove the depositary at any
time. Any resignation or removal will take effect upon the
appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of the
appointment. The successor depositary must be appointed within
60 days after delivery of the notice
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of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company
having its principal office in the United States and having a
combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.
The following is a general description of the terms of the
warrants we may issue from time to time. Particular terms of any
warrants we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement
relating to such warrants.
General
We may issue warrants to purchase debt securities, preferred
stock, depositary shares, common stock or any combination
thereof. Such warrants may be issued independently or together
with any such securities and may be attached or separate from
such securities. We will issue each series of warrants under a
separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a
warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent
and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for
or with holders or beneficial owners of warrants.
A prospectus supplement will describe the particular terms of
any series of warrants we may issue, including the following:
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the title of such warrants;
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the aggregate number of such warrants;
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the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued;
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the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in
which the price of such warrants may be payable;
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the designation and terms of the securities purchasable upon
exercise of such warrants and the number of such securities
issuable upon exercise of such warrants;
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the price at which and the currency or currencies, including
composite currencies, in which the securities purchasable upon
exercise of such warrants may be purchased;
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the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall
commence and the date on which such right will expire;
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whether such warrants will be issued in registered form or
bearer form;
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if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants
which may be exercised at any one time;
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if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with
which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants
issued with each such security;
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if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the
related securities will be separately transferable;
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information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;
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if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax
considerations; and
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any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures
and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such
warrants.
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Amendments and Supplements to Warrant Agreement
We and the warrant agent may amend or supplement the warrant
agreement for a series of warrants without the consent of the
holders of the warrants issued thereunder to effect changes that
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are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and
that do not materially and adversely affect the interests of the
holders of the warrants.
AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS
The following is a general description of the terms of the stock
purchase contracts and stock purchase units we may issue from
time to time. Particular terms of any stock purchase contracts
and/or stock purchase units we offer will be described in the
prospectus supplement relating to such stock purchase contracts
and/or stock purchase units.
We may issue stock purchase contracts, including contracts
obligating holders to purchase from us, and obligating us to
sell to holders, a specified number of shares of common stock,
preferred stock or depositary shares at a future date. The
consideration per share of common stock, preferred stock or
depositary shares may be fixed at the time that the stock
purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference
to a specific formula set forth in the stock purchase contracts.
Any stock purchase contract may include anti-dilution provisions
to adjust the number of shares issuable pursuant to such stock
purchase contract upon the occurrence of certain events.
The stock purchase contracts may be issued separately or as a
part of units (stock purchase units), consisting of
a stock purchase contract and debt securities, trust preferred
securities or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S.
Treasury securities, in each case securing holders
obligations to purchase common stock, preferred stock or
depositary shares under the stock purchase contracts. The stock
purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to
holders of the stock purchase units, or vice versa, and such
payments may be unsecured or prefunded. The stock purchase
contracts may require holders to secure their obligations
thereunder in a specified manner.
The following is a general description of the terms of the trust
preferred securities we may issue from time to time. Particular
terms of any trust preferred securities we offer will be
described in the prospectus supplement relating to such trust
preferred securities.
Each of the Ford Capital Trusts was formed pursuant to the
execution of a declaration of trust and the filing of a
certificate of trust of such trust with the Delaware Secretary
of State. The declaration of trust of each Ford Capital Trust
will be amended and restated prior to the issuance by such trust
of the trust preferred securities to include the terms
referenced in this prospectus and in the applicable prospectus
supplement. The original declaration of trust of each Ford
Capital Trust is, and the form of the amended and restated
declaration of trust of such trust will be, filed as an exhibit
to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a
part.
Each of the Ford Capital Trusts may issue only one series of
trust preferred securities. The declaration of trust for each
trust will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust
Indenture Act. The trust preferred securities will have the
terms, including distributions, redemption, voting, liquidation
and such other preferred, deferred or other special rights or
such restrictions as shall be set forth in the declaration or
made part of the declaration by the Trust Indenture Act, and
which will mirror the terms of the subordinated debt securities
held by the trust and described in the applicable prospectus
supplement. The following summary does not purport to be
complete and is subject in all respects to the provisions of the
applicable declaration and the Trust Indenture Act.
Reference is made to the prospectus supplement relating to the
preferred securities of any trust for specific terms, including:
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the distinctive designation of the trust preferred securities;
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the number of trust preferred securities issued by the trust;
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the annual distribution rate, or method of determining the rate,
for trust preferred securities issued by the trust and the date
or dates upon which distributions are payable; provided,
however, that distributions on the trust preferred securities
are payable on a quarterly basis to holders of the trust
preferred securities as of a record date in each quarter during
which the trust preferred securities are outstanding;
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whether distributions on trust preferred securities issued by
the trust are cumulative, and, in the case of trust preferred
securities having cumulative distribution rights, the date or
dates from which distributions will be cumulative;
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the amount which shall be paid out of the assets of the trust to
the holders of trust preferred securities upon voluntary or
involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of the trust;
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the obligation or the option, if any, of a trust to purchase or
redeem trust preferred securities and the price or prices at
which, the period or periods within which, and the terms upon
which, trust preferred securities issued by the trust may be
purchased or redeemed;
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the voting rights, if any, of trust preferred securities in
addition to those required by law, including the number of votes
per trust preferred security and any requirement for the
approval by the holders of trust preferred securities, or of
trust preferred securities issued by one or more trusts, or of
both, as a condition to specified action or amendments to the
declaration of the trust;
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the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the subordinated
debt securities may be distributed to holders of trust preferred
securities;
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whether the trust preferred securities will be convertible or
exchangeable into common stock or other securities, and, if so,
the terms and conditions upon which the conversion or exchange
will be effected, including the initial conversion or exchange
price or rate and any adjustments thereto, the conversion or
exchange period and other conversion or exchange provisions;
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if applicable, any securities exchange upon which the trust
preferred securities shall be listed; and
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any other relevant rights, preferences, privileges, limitations
or restrictions of trust preferred securities issued by the
trust not inconsistent with its declaration or with applicable
law.
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We will guarantee all trust preferred securities offered hereby
to the extent set forth below under Description of
Preferred Securities Guarantees. Certain United States
federal income tax considerations applicable to any offering of
trust preferred securities will be described in the applicable
prospectus supplement.
In connection with the issuance of trust preferred securities,
each trust will issue one series of common securities having the
terms including distributions, redemption, voting and
liquidation rights or such restrictions as shall be set forth in
its declaration. The terms of the common securities will be
substantially identical to the terms of the trust preferred
securities issued by the trust and the common securities will
rank equal with, and payments will be made thereon pro rata,
with the trust preferred securities except that, upon an event
of default under the declaration, the rights of the holders of
the common securities to payment in respect of distributions and
payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise will be
subordinated to the rights of the holders of the trust preferred
securities. Except in certain limited circumstances, the common
securities will carry the right to vote to appoint, remove or
replace any of the trustees of a trust. Directly or indirectly,
we will own all of the common securities of each trust.
Distributions
Distributions on the trust preferred securities will be made on
the dates payable to the extent that the trust has funds
available for the payment of distributions in the trusts
property account. The trusts funds available for
distribution to the holders of the trust securities will be
limited to payments received
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from us on the subordinated debt securities issued to the trust
in connection with the issuance of the trust preferred
securities. We will guarantee the payment of distributions out
of monies held by the trust to the extent set forth under
Description of Preferred Securities Guarantees below.
Deferral of Distributions
With respect to any subordinated debt securities issued to a
trust, we will have the right under the terms of the
subordinated debt securities to defer payments of interest on
the subordinated debt securities by extending the interest
payment period from time to time on the subordinated debt
securities. As a consequence of our extension of the interest
payment period on subordinated debt securities held by a trust,
distributions on the trust preferred securities would be
deferred during any such extended interest payment period. The
trust will give the holders of the trust preferred securities
notice of an extension period upon their receipt of notice from
us. If distributions are deferred, the deferred distributions
and accrued interest will be paid to holders of record of the
trust preferred securities as they appear on the books and
records of the trust on the record date next following the
termination of the deferral period. The terms of any
subordinated debt securities issued to a trust, including the
right to defer payments of interest, will be described in the
applicable prospectus supplement.
Distribution of Subordinated Debt Securities
We will have the right at any time to dissolve a trust and,
after satisfaction of the liabilities of creditors of the trust
as provided by applicable law, to cause the distribution of
subordinated debt securities issued to the trust to the holders
of the trust securities in a total stated principal amount equal
to the total stated liquidation amount of the trust securities
then outstanding. The right to dissolve the trust and distribute
the subordinated debt securities will be conditioned on our
receipt of an opinion rendered by tax counsel that the
distribution would not be taxable for United States federal
income tax purposes to the holders.
Enforcement of Certain Rights by Holders of Preferred
Securities
If an event of default under a declaration of trust occurs and
is continuing, then the holders of trust preferred securities of
such trust would rely on the enforcement by the property trustee
of its rights as a holder of the applicable series of
subordinated debt securities against us. In addition, the
holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the trust
preferred securities of such trust will have the right to direct
the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any
remedy available to the property trustee or to direct the
exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the property
trustee to exercise the remedies available to it as a holder of
the subordinated debt securities. If the property trustee fails
to enforce its rights under the applicable series of
subordinated debt securities, a holder of trust preferred
securities of such trust may institute a legal proceeding
directly against us to enforce the property trustees
rights under the applicable series of subordinated debt
securities without first instituting any legal proceeding
against the property trustee or any other person or entity.
Notwithstanding, if an event of default under the applicable
declaration has occurred and is continuing and such event is
attributable to our failure to pay interest or principal on the
applicable series of subordinated debt securities on the date
such interest or principal is otherwise payable or in the case
of redemption, on the redemption date, then a holder of trust
preferred securities of such trust may directly institute a
proceeding for enforcement of payment to such holder of the
principal of or interest on the applicable series of
subordinated debt securities having a principal amount equal to
the aggregate liquidation amount of the trust preferred
securities of such holder on or after the respective due date
specified in the applicable series of subordinated debt
securities. In connection with such direct action, we will be
subrogated to the rights of such holder of trust preferred
securities under the applicable declaration to the extent of any
payment made by us to such holder of trust preferred securities
in such direct action.
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Set forth below is a summary of information concerning the
preferred securities guarantees which we will execute and
deliver for the benefit of the holders of trust preferred
securities. Each preferred securities guarantee will be
qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. The
preferred guarantee trustee will hold each guarantee for the
benefit of the holders of the trust preferred securities to
which it relates. The following summary does not purport to be
complete and is subject in all respects to the provisions of,
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the relevant
preferred securities guarantee, which will be filed as an
exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus
forms a part, and the Trust Indenture Act.
General
Pursuant to each preferred securities guarantee, we will agree
to pay in full, to the holders of the trust preferred securities
issued by a trust, the guarantee payments, except to the extent
paid by the trust, as and when due, regardless of any defense,
right of set-off or counterclaim which the trust may have or
assert. The following payments with respect to trust preferred
securities, to the extent not paid by the trust, will be subject
to the preferred securities guarantee:
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any accrued and unpaid distributions which are required to be
paid on the trust preferred securities, to the extent the trust
shall have funds legally and immediately available for those
distributions;
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the redemption price set forth in the applicable prospectus
supplement to the extent the trust has funds legally and
immediately available therefor with respect to any trust
preferred securities called for redemption by the trust; and
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upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or
termination of the trust, other than in connection with the
distribution of subordinated debt securities to the holders of
trust preferred securities or the redemption of all of the trust
preferred securities, the lesser of (1) the aggregate of
the liquidation amount and all accrued and unpaid distributions
on the trust preferred securities to the date of payment, to the
extent the trust has funds legally and immediately available,
and (2) the amount of assets of the trust remaining
available for distribution to holders of the trust preferred
securities in liquidation of the trust.
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Our obligation to make a guarantee payment may be satisfied by
direct payment of the required amounts by us to the holders of
trust preferred securities or by causing the applicable trust to
pay the amounts to the holders.
Each preferred securities guarantee will not apply to any
payment of distributions on the trust preferred securities
except to the extent the trust shall have funds available
therefor. If we do not make interest payments on the
subordinated debt securities purchased by a trust, the trust
will not pay distributions on the trust preferred securities
issued by the trust and will not have funds available therefor.
The preferred securities guarantee, when taken together with our
obligations under the subordinated debt securities, the
Indenture and the declaration, including our obligations to pay
costs, expenses, debts and liabilities of the trust other than
with respect to the trust securities, will provide a full and
unconditional guarantee on a subordinated basis by us of
payments due on the trust preferred securities.
We have also agreed separately to irrevocably and
unconditionally guarantee the obligations of the trusts with
respect to the common securities (our common securities
guarantee) to the same extent as the preferred securities
guarantee, except that upon an event of default under the
Indenture, holders of trust preferred securities shall have
priority over holders of common securities with respect to
distributions and payments on liquidation, redemption or
otherwise.
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Certain Covenants of Ford
In each preferred securities guarantee, we will covenant that,
so long as any trust preferred securities issued by the
applicable trust remain outstanding, if there shall have
occurred any event that would constitute an event of default
under the preferred securities guarantee or the declaration of
the trust, then, unless otherwise set forth in an applicable
prospectus supplement we shall not:
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declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions with
respect to, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation
payment with respect to, any of our capital stock;
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make any guarantee payments with respect to any of our other
capital stock; or
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make any payment of principal, interest, or premium, if any, on
or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities (including
guarantees) that rank equal with or junior to such subordinated
debt securities.
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However, in such circumstances we may:
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declare and pay stock dividends on our capital stock payable in
the same stock on which the dividend is paid; and
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purchase fractional interests in shares of our capital stock
pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of the capital
stock or the security being converted or exchanged.
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Modification of the Preferred Securities Guarantees;
Assignment
Each preferred securities guarantee may be amended only with the
prior approval of the holders of not less than a majority in
liquidation amount of the outstanding trust preferred securities
issued by the applicable trust except with respect to any
changes which do not adversely affect the rights of holders of
trust preferred securities, in which case no vote will be
required. All guarantees and agreements contained in a preferred
securities guarantee shall bind our successors, assigns,
receivers, trustees and representatives and shall inure to the
benefit of the holders of the trust preferred securities of the
applicable trust then outstanding.
Termination
Each preferred securities guarantee will terminate as to the
trust preferred securities issued by the applicable trust:
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upon full payment of the redemption price of all trust preferred
securities of the trust;
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upon distribution of the subordinated debt securities held by
the trust to the holders of the trust preferred securities and
common securities of the trust; or
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upon full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the
declaration of the trust upon liquidation of the trust.
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Each preferred securities guarantee will continue to be
effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any
time any holder of trust preferred securities issued by the
applicable trust must restore payment of any sums paid under the
trust preferred securities or the preferred securities guarantee.
Events of Default
An event of default under a preferred securities guarantee will
occur upon our failure to perform any of our payment or other
obligations under the preferred securities guarantee.
The holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the trust
preferred securities relating to such preferred securities
guarantee have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
preferred guarantee trustee in respect of the guarantee or to
direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the
preferred guarantee trustee under such
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trust preferred securities. If the preferred guarantee trustee
fails to enforce such preferred securities guarantee, any holder
of trust preferred securities relating to such guarantee may
institute a legal proceeding directly against us to enforce the
preferred guarantee trustees rights under such guarantee,
without first instituting a legal proceeding against the
relevant Ford trust, the guarantee trustee or any other person
or entity. Notwithstanding, if we fail to make a guarantee
payment, a holder of trust preferred securities may directly
institute a proceeding against us for enforcement of the
preferred securities guarantee for such payment. We waive any
right or remedy to require that any action be brought first
against such trust or any other person or entity before
proceeding directly against us.
Status of the Preferred Securities Guarantees
Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus
supplement, the preferred securities guarantees will constitute
unsecured obligations of Ford and will rank:
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subordinate and junior in right of payment to all other
liabilities of Ford; and
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senior to our capital stock now or hereafter issued and any
guarantee now or hereafter entered into by us in respect of any
of our capital stock.
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The terms of the trust preferred securities provide that each
holder agrees to the subordination provisions and other terms of
the preferred securities guarantee.
The preferred securities guarantees will constitute a guarantee
of payment and not merely of collection; that is, the guaranteed
party may institute a legal proceeding directly against the
guarantor to enforce its rights under the guarantee without
instituting a legal proceeding against any other person or
entity.
Information Concerning the Preferred Guarantee Trustee
The preferred guarantee trustee, before the occurrence of a
default with respect to a preferred securities guarantee,
undertakes to perform only such duties as are specifically set
forth in such preferred securities guarantee and, after default,
shall exercise the same degree of care as a prudent individual
would exercise in the conduct of his or her own affairs. The
preferred guarantee trustee is under no obligation to exercise
any of the powers vested in it by a preferred securities
guarantee at the request of any holder of preferred securities,
unless offered reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses
and liabilities which might be incurred.
Governing Law
The preferred securities guarantees will be governed by and
construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of
New York.
We may sell the securities to or through agents or underwriters
or directly to one or more purchasers. Securities also may be
sold by or through broker-dealers in connection with, or upon
the termination or expiration of, equity derivative contracts
between us or our affiliates and such broker-dealers or their
affiliates.
By Agents
We may use agents to sell the securities. The agents will agree
to use their reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for
the period of their appointment.
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By Underwriters
We may sell the securities to underwriters. The underwriters may
resell the securities in one or more transactions, including
negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at
varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations
of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject
to certain conditions. Each underwriter will be obligated to
purchase all the securities allocated to it under the
underwriting agreement. The underwriters may change any initial
public offering price and any discounts or concessions they give
to dealers.
Direct Sales
We may sell securities directly to you. In this case, no
underwriters or agents would be involved.
As one of the means of direct issuance of securities, we may
utilize the services of any available electronic auction system
to conduct an electronic dutch auction of the
offered securities among potential purchasers who are eligible
to participate in the auction of those offered securities, if so
described in the prospectus supplement.
General Information
Any underwriters or agents will be identified and their
compensation described in a prospectus supplement.
We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents
to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribute
to payments they may be required to make.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions
with, or perform services for, us or our subsidiaries in the
ordinary course of their businesses.
The underwriters are required to conduct any offering of trust
preferred securities in accordance with Conduct Rule 2810
of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
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Peter Sherry, Jr., Esq., who is our Assistant General
Counsel and Assistant Secretary, or another of our lawyers, will
give us an opinion about the legality of the securities.
Mr. Sherry owns, and such other lawyer likely would own,
our common stock and options to purchase shares of our common
stock.
The audited financial statements and financial statement
schedules incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been
audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC),
independent accountants, as indicated in their reports which
accompany those financial statements and financial statement
schedules, and are incorporated by reference in this prospectus
and in the registration statements in reliance upon such reports
on those financial statements and financial statement schedules
given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
None of the interim financial information included in our 10-Q
Reports has been audited by PwC. In reviewing such information,
PwC has applied limited procedures in accordance with
professional standards for reviews of interim financial
information. Accordingly, you should restrict your reliance on
their reports on such information. PwC is not subject to the
liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of
1933 for their reports on the interim financial information
because such reports do not constitute reports or
parts of the registration statements prepared or
certified by PwC within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of
the Securities Act of 1933.
25
$4,500,000,000
Ford Motor Company
4.25% Senior Convertible
Notes due 2036
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
December 6, 2006
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