SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D. C. 20549




                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT




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


                          Date of Report August 17, 2001
                                         ---------------
                        (Date of earliest event reported)


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


                                    Delaware
                                    --------
                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)


         1-3950                                            38-0549190
         -------                                           ----------
   (Commission File Number)                    (IRS Employer Identification No.)


 One American Road, Dearborn,  Michigan                       48126
 --------------------------------------                       -----
(Address of principal executive offices)                    (Zip Code)



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





                                      -2-

Item 5.  Other Events.
---------------------

     News  release  dated  August 17,  2001, filed as Exhibit 20 to this Current
Report on Form 8-K, is incorporated by reference herein.




Item 7.  Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.
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                                    EXHIBITS
                                    --------

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

Exhibit 20             News Release dated
                       August 17, 2001                   Filed with this Report




                                    SIGNATURE
                                    ---------

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

                                               FORD MOTOR COMPANY
                                               --------------------------------
                                               (Registrant)


Date:  August 17, 2001                         By:/s/Peter Sherry, Jr.
                                               --------------------------------
                                                  Peter Sherry, Jr.
                                                  Assistant Secretary


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX
                                  -------------


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

Exhibit 20                 News Release dated August 17, 2001