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 14, 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.
----------------------

     Our news release dated September 14, 2001 concerning an update to our North
American production plans for the third quarter of 2001, filed as Exhibit 20 to
this report, 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
                      September 14, 2001                 Filed with this Report





                                       -3-

                                    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 14, 2001                   By: /s/Kathryn S. Lamping
                                               ---------------------------
                                               Kathryn S. Lamping
                                               Assistant Secretary


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


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

Exhibit 20            News Release dated September 14, 2001