As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 2, 2008

Registration No. 333-     

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Ford Motor Company

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

38-0549190

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

One American Road,

Dearborn, Michigan 48126

(313) 322-3000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

Peter J. Sherry, Jr., Esq.

Associate General Counsel and Secretary

Ford Motor Company

One American Road,

Dearborn, Michigan 48126

(313) 322-3000

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copy to:

 

Lisa L. Jacobs, Esq.

Shearman & Sterling LLP

599 Lexington Ave.

New York, New York 10022

(212) 848-4000

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.

 

 

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. o

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. x

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o             

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o             

 

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. x

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

 

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 2, 2008

 

Ford Motor Company

 

Senior Debt Securities, Subordinated Debt Securities,

Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock, Warrants,

Stock Purchase Contracts and Stock Purchase Units

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we may, from time to time, sell the following types of securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings:

 

 

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 or term sheet that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement or term sheet may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.

 

Investments in the Securities involve risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2 of this prospectus.

 

You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or term sheet 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 June 2, 2008.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

     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.

 

RISK FACTORS

 

Your investment in the securities involves certain risks. In consultation with your own financial and legal advisers, you should carefully consider whether an investment in the securities is suitable for you. The securities are not an appropriate investment for you if you do not understand the terms of the securities or financial matters generally. In addition, certain factors that may adversely affect the business of Ford Motor Company are discussed in our periodic reports referred to in “Where You Can Find More Information,” below. For example, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 contains a discussion of significant risks that could be relevant to an investment in the securities. You should not purchase the securities described in this Prospectus unless you understand and know you can bear all of the investment risks involved.

 

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 SEC’s 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 SEC’s 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.

 

 

Dated				Filed
January 3, 2008				January 3, 2008
January 16, 2008				January 16, 2008
January 23, 2008*				January 24, 2008*
February 1, 2008				February 1, 2008
March 3, 2008				March 3, 2008
March 25, 2008				March 26, 2008
April 1, 2008				April 1, 2008
April 7, 2008				April 11, 2008
April 25, 2008				May 1, 2008
May 8, 2008				May 13, 2008
May 9, 2008				May 9, 2008
May 21, 2008				May 22, 2008
June 2, 2008				June 2, 2008

 

 

 

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

 

FORD MOTOR COMPANY

 

We incorporated in Delaware in 1919. We acquired the business of a Michigan company, also known as Ford Motor Company, that had been incorporated in 1903 to produce and sell automobiles designed and engineered by Henry Ford. We are one of the world’s largest producers of cars and trucks combined. We and our subsidiaries also engage in other businesses, including financing vehicles. Our headquarters are located at One American Road, Dearborn, Michigan 48126, and our telephone number is (313) 322-3000.

 

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 businesses by sector are described generally in the table below:

 

 

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” for the years 2003-2007 and for the three months ended March 31, 2008 are included as an exhibit to our 10-Q Report and future 10-Q Reports and are incorporated in this prospectus by reference.

 

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.

 

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

 

We will issue debt securities in one or more series under an Indenture dated as of January 30, 2002 between us and The Bank of New York as successor trustee to JPMorgan Chase Bank. The Indenture may be supplemented from time to time.

 

The Indenture is a contract between us and The Bank of New York 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 of a particular series of debt securities, you should read both this prospectus and the prospectus supplement relating to that particular series.

 

General

 

The Indenture 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:

 

 

 

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 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:

 

 

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:

 

 

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:

 

 

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.)

 

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, 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:

 

 

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.

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, 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 May 1, 2008, we had outstanding 2,171,147,986 shares of common stock and 70,852,076 shares of Class B 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.” Under the terms of a secured credit agreement that we entered into on December 15, 2006, which credit agreement provides for a seven-year $7 billion term-loan facility and a five-year revolving credit facility of $11.5 billion, we are prohibited from paying dividends (other than dividends payable solely in stock) on our common and Class B stock, subject to certain limited exceptions. See Note 16 of the Notes to Financial Statements of our 2007 10-K Report for more information regarding our secured credit agreement.

 

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 May 1, 2008, each holder of Class B stock is entitled to 20.429 votes per share. Of the outstanding Class B stock as of April 4, 2008, 52,016,831 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 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:

 

 

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 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:

 

 

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.

 

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 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 holder’s 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 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 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.

 

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

 

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:

 

 

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 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.

 

DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS

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.

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

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.

 

We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment).

 

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.

 

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.

 

LEGAL OPINIONS

 

Peter J. Sherry, Jr., Esq., who is our Associate General Counsel and 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.

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The financial statements and financial statement schedule incorporated in the Prospectus by reference to Ford Motor Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 2, 2008 and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference to Ford Motor Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, 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, 2008 and 2007, incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP reported that they have applied limited procedures in accordance with professional standards for a review of such information. However, their separate report dated May 7, 2008 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 report 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 report on the unaudited financial information because that report is not a “report” or a “part” of the registration statement prepared or certified by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.

 

PART II. INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

 

The following table sets forth the estimated expenses in connection with the offering described in this Registration Statement:

 

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Law”) empowers a Delaware corporation to indemnify any persons who are, or are threatened to be made, parties to any threatened, pending or completed legal action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of such corporation), by reason of the fact that such person was an officer or director of such corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, provided that such officer or director acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the corporation’s best interests, and, for criminal proceedings, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was illegal. A Delaware corporation may indemnify officers and directors against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) in connection with the defense or settlement of an action by or in the right of the corporation under the same conditions, except that no indemnification is permitted without judicial approval if the officer or director is adjudged to be liable to the corporation. Where an officer or director is successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action referred to above, the corporation must indemnify him or her against the expenses which such officer or director actually and reasonably incurred.

 

In accordance with the Delaware Law, the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Ford contains a provision to limit the personal liability of the directors of Ford for violations of their fiduciary duty. This provision eliminates each director’s liability to Ford or its stockholders for monetary damages except (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to Ford or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware Law providing for liability of directors for unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions, or (iv) for any transaction from which a director derived an improper personal benefit. The effect of this provision is to eliminate the personal liability of directors for monetary damages for actions involving a breach of their fiduciary duty of care, including any such actions involving gross negligence.

 

Pursuant to most of Ford’s employee benefit plans, including, without limitation, its Deferred Compensation Plan, Annual Incentive Compensation Plan, Savings and Stock Investment Plan, long-term incentive plans and stock option plans, directors, officers and employees of Ford are indemnified against all loss, cost, liability or expense resulting from any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which such persons are involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under such plans.

Pursuant to underwriting agreements, forms of which have been filed as exhibits to registration statements relating to underwritten offerings of securities issued or guaranteed by Ford, the underwriters have agreed to indemnify Ford, each officer and director of Ford and each person, if any, who controls Ford within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, against certain liabilities, including liabilities under said Act.

 

Ford is insured for liabilities it may incur pursuant to its Restated Certificate of Incorporation relating to the indemnification of its directors, officers and employees. In addition, directors, officers and certain key employees are insured against certain losses which may arise out of their employment and which are not recoverable under the indemnification provisions of Ford’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Item 16. Exhibits.

 

 

Item 17. Undertakings.

 

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

(1) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

 

(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement.

 

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

 

Provided, however, that paragraphs 1 (i), (ii) and (iii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form F-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

 

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

 

(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of 314 securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement

will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

 

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of securities, in a primary offering of the securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

 

(6) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15 above, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant, Ford Motor Company, certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Dearborn, Michigan, on the 2nd day of June, 2008.

 

FORD MOTOR COMPANY

 

Alan Mulally*

(Alan Mulally)

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

EXHIBIT INDEX