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 April 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
                                                            ------------








                                      -2-

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

         Our news release dated April 1, 2004 concerning U.S. retail sales of
Ford vehicles in March 2004, filed as Exhibit 20 to this report, is incorporated
by reference herein.


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


                                    EXHIBITS
                                    --------

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

Exhibit 20              News Release dated
                        April 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:  April 1, 2004                        By: /s/Kathryn S. Lamping
                                                -----------------------
                                                Kathryn S. Lamping
                                                Assistant Secretary







                                      -3-


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


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

Exhibit 20                 News Release dated April 1, 2004