<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>e090104cover.txt
<TEXT>





                                  UNITED STATES
                       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: September 1, 2004
                                        -----------------
                        (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
                                                            ------------


Check  the  appropriate  box  below  if the  Form  8-K  filing  is  intended  to
simultaneously  satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
     (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
     (17 CFR 140.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange
     Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange
     Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))



<PAGE>

                                      -2-

Item 8.01.  Other Events.
------------------------

     Our news release dated  September 1, 2004  concerning  U.S. retail sales of
Ford  vehicles in August  2004 and planned  North  American  production  for the
fourth quarter of 2004,  filed as Exhibit 99 to this report,  is incorporated by
reference herein.


Item 9.01.  Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                    EXHIBITS
                                    --------

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

Exhibit 99              News Release dated
                        September 1, 2004             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:  September 1, 2004                   By: /s/Kathryn S. Lamping
                                               -----------------------
                                               Kathryn S. Lamping
                                               Assistant Secretary





<PAGE>

                                      -3-


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



Designation                Description
-----------                -----------
Exhibit 99                 News Release dated September 1, 2004














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