DiversityInc magazine has named Ford one of the top three companies in the country in its annual ranking of best employers for minorities. Ford has earned honors on the "Top 50 Companies for Diversity" list in each of the four years the rankings have been published and is the only automaker in this year's Top 10.

In addition, for the second year the company was ranked on the list of the top 10 companies for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) employees, and for the third year for supplier diversity -- named to second place on the Top 10 Companies for Supplier Diversity and taking the 10th spot among the Top Companies for GLBT Employees.

"Our performance in the DiversityInc rankings reflects the deep commitment Ford has expressed over the years to diversity and work life issues," said Joe Laymon, Group Vice President, Corporate Human Resources.

"It is a commitment that includes involvement from the highest levels of senior management to the group efforts that are conducted by many of our employees," Laymon said.

The competition in the rankings increased this year according to the magazine, with the number of applicants doubling over last year. A total of 178 companies participated in DiversityInc's fourth annual rating.

"Diverse markets are driving our economy. Household income, college attendance, consumer spending and other indicators for people of color are all rising at more than double that of white Americans," said Luke Visconti, partner and co-founder of DiversityInc. "GLBT people and people with disabilities are other billion-dollar plus market segments."

"Managing diversity is a competitive factor for any business, from supplier diversity and sales and marketing, to recruiting and retaining the best talent," Visconti said. "Ford Motor Company's strong showing demonstrates its national leadership in every aspect of managing diversity."

The magazine's listing says: "the company offers terrific work-life benefits, measures every aspect of its diversity initiatives, has mandatory diversity training for managers, and has both an internal diversity council and an external council chaired by Julian Bond, chairman of the NAACP."

According to the magazine, this year's ranking is twice as detailed as last year's and is the most in-depth analysis of corporate diversity management, leadership and marketing that has ever been undertaken. Standards to evaluate any company in the United States against the best were developed in every category.

According to Laymon, Ford is striving to maintain its diversity leadership as the company goes forward.

"A diverse and inclusive work environment is key to maximizing the contribution of each and every employee. Our work in this area is never done and continues every day through a variety of initiatives," he concluded.

Each year, Ford holds a Global Diversity and Worklife Summit to mark the company's commitment to driving diversity in the workplace. To augment diversity efforts within the company, Ford provides multicultural training to many of its suppliers and dealers. Ford also leads all other automakers with the largest percentage of minority-owned or -operated dealerships in the United States.

The Top 50 Companies for Diversity was unveiled on http://www.diversityinc.com/. The Top 10 Companies for Supplier Diversity will be showcased on the web site on May 10, and the Top 10 Companies for GLBT Employees will be featured on June 7.

In addition, details abut the listings, the methodology and the strengths of the winning companies, including Ford, will appear in the June/July issue of DiversityInc magazine.

Ford Motor Company received the 2003 Urban Wheel Awards salute for outstanding commitment to diversity in the automotive industry, and received the “Fairness Award” from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.