NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) Dec. 3, 2012--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today that Ford Motor Co.'s (BB+/Positive/--) announcement regarding a voluntary safety recall of 2013 SE and SEL model Ford Escape and Fusion vehicles equipped with the 1.6-liter engine has no immediate effect on the rating or outlook on Ford. The potential for engine fires in those specific engines does not affect 2013 Escape or 2013 Fusion models with other engines. Our preliminary view is that this event is more likely to be a challenge to Ford's improved standing with consumers than a major financial cash cost. Still, given that the Escape and Fusion (all engine types) collectively represented about 24% of Ford brand sales for the first
