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: April 14, 2005
                                          --------------
                        (Date of earliest event reported)


                            FORD MOTOR CREDIT COMPANY
                            -------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                                    Delaware
                                    --------
                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)


       1-6368                                             38-1612444
       ------                                             ----------
(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>

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

On April 5,  2005,  Moody's  Investors  Service,  Inc.  ("Moody's")  placed  the
long-term  ratings of Ford Motor Company ("Ford"),  presently  "Baa1",  and Ford
Motor Credit Company ("Ford Credit"),  presently "A3", under review for possible
downgrade. Ford Credit's short-term rating, presently "P-2", is not under review
and was affirmed.  The Moody's press release  announcing this action is filed as
Exhibit 99.1 hereto.

On April 8, 2005,  Standard & Poor's Rating Services,  a division of McGraw-Hill
Companies,  Inc.  ("S&P")  affirmed the ratings of Ford,  Ford  Credit,  and all
related  entities,  presently "BBB-" for long-term debt and "A-3" for short-term
debt, and at the same time revised the outlook on the companies to negative from
stable.  The S&P press release  announcing  this action is filed as Exhibit 99.2
hereto.

On April 11, 2005,  Dominion Bond Rating  Service  Limited  ("DBRS")  placed the
ratings of Ford under  review with  negative  implications,  but  confirmed  the
ratings of Ford Credit and Ford Credit Canada  Limited  ("Ford  Credit  Canada")
both with stable trends. The long- and short-term ratings of all three companies
presently  are  "BBB  (high)"  and "R-1  (low)",  respectively.  The DBRS  press
releases announcing these actions are filed as Exhibits 99.3 and 99.4.

On April 11, 2005,  Fitch,  Inc.  ("Fitch") revised the ratings outlook of Ford,
Ford Credit,  Hertz, and related  entities to negative from stable.  The present
long-  and   short-term   ratings  for  all   companies  are  "BBB+"  and  "F2",
respectively. The Fitch press release announcing this action is filed as Exhibit
99.5.

Ford Credit's principal  subsidiary in Canada,  Ford Credit Canada has suspended
offering its medium term notes in Canada until further notice.  The notes, which
are guaranteed by Ford Credit, had been offered pursuant to Ford Credit Canada's
Short Form  Prospectus and Prospectus  Supplement  each dated December 16, 2004.
Ford Credit Canada will continue to offer debt  securities  pursuant to its euro
medium term note program and its commercial paper program.

During April 2005, we are conducting  regularly scheduled  semi-annual  meetings
with these credit rating  agencies.  Further  rating  actions could occur at any
time, including following those meetings.


Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.
----------------------------------------------


                                    EXHIBITS
                                    --------

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

Exhibit 99.1               Moody's Press Release
                           dated April 5, 2005           Filed with this Report

Exhibit 99.2               S&P's Press Release
                           dated April 8, 2005           Filed with this Report

Exhibit 99.3               DBRS Press Release
                           dated April 11, 2005          Filed with this Report

Exhibit 99.4               DBRS Press Release
                           dated April 11, 2005          Filed with this Report

Exhibit 99.5               Fitch Press Release
                           dated April 11, 2005          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 hereunto duly authorized.

                                            FORD MOTOR CREDIT COMPANY
                                            -------------------------
                                            (Registrant)


Date:  April 14, 2005                By: /s/ C. M. MacGillivray
                                             -------------------
                                             C. M. MacGillivray Assistant
                                             Secretary


                                      -2-

<PAGE>

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



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

Exhibit 99.1               Moody's Press Release
                           dated April 5, 2005

Exhibit 99.2               S&P's Press Release
                           dated April 8, 2005

Exhibit 99.3               DBRS Press Release
                           dated April 11, 2005

Exhibit 99.4               DBRS Press Release
                           dated April 11, 2005

Exhibit 99.5               Fitch Press Release
                           dated April 11, 2005





                                       -3-
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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: April 14, 2005
                                          --------------
                        (Date of earliest event reported)

                            FORD MOTOR CREDIT COMPANY
                            -------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                                    Delaware
                                    --------
                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

       1-6368                                             38-1612444
       ------                                             ----------
(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))
Item 8.01  Other Events.
------------------------

On April 5,  2005,  Moody's  Investors  Service,  Inc.  ("Moody's")  placed  the
long-term  ratings of Ford Motor Company ("Ford"),  presently  "Baa1",  and Ford
Motor Credit Company ("Ford Credit"),  presently "A3", under review for possible
downgrade. Ford Credit's short-term rating, presently "P-2", is not under review
and was affirmed.  The Moody's press release  announcing this action is filed as
Exhibit 99.1 hereto.

On April 8, 2005,  Standard & Poor's Rating Services,  a division of McGraw-Hill
Companies,  Inc.  ("S&P")  affirmed the ratings of Ford,  Ford  Credit,  and all
related  entities,  presently "BBB-" for long-term debt and "A-3" for short-term
debt, and at the same time revised the outlook on the companies to negative from
stable.  The S&P press release  announcing  this action is filed as Exhibit 99.2
hereto.

On April 11, 2005,  Dominion Bond Rating  Service  Limited  ("DBRS")  placed the
ratings of Ford under  review with  negative  implications,  but  confirmed  the
ratings of Ford Credit and Ford Credit Canada  Limited  ("Ford  Credit  Canada")
both with stable trends. The long- and short-term ratings of all three companies
presently  are  "BBB  (high)"  and "R-1  (low)",  respectively.  The DBRS  press
releases announcing these actions are filed as Exhibits 99.3 and 99.4.

On April 11, 2005,  Fitch,  Inc.  ("Fitch") revised the ratings outlook of Ford,
Ford Credit,  Hertz, and related  entities to negative from stable.  The present
long-  and   short-term   ratings  for  all   companies  are  "BBB+"  and  "F2",
respectively. The Fitch press release announcing this action is filed as Exhibit
99.5.

Ford Credit's principal  subsidiary in Canada,  Ford Credit Canada has suspended
offering its medium term notes in Canada until further notice.  The notes, which
are guaranteed by Ford Credit, had been offered pursuant to Ford Credit Canada's
Short Form  Prospectus and Prospectus  Supplement  each dated December 16, 2004.
Ford Credit Canada will continue to offer debt  securities  pursuant to its euro
medium term note program and its commercial paper program.

During April 2005, we are conducting  regularly scheduled  semi-annual  meetings
with these credit rating  agencies.  Further  rating  actions could occur at any
time, including following those meetings.

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.
----------------------------------------------

                                    EXHIBITS
                                    --------

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

Exhibit 99.1               Moody's Press Release
                           dated April 5, 2005           Filed with this Report

Exhibit 99.2               S&P's Press Release
                           dated April 8, 2005           Filed with this Report

Exhibit 99.3               DBRS Press Release
                           dated April 11, 2005          Filed with this Report

Exhibit 99.4               DBRS Press Release
                           dated April 11, 2005          Filed with this Report

Exhibit 99.5               Fitch Press Release
                           dated April 11, 2005          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 hereunto duly authorized.

                                            FORD MOTOR CREDIT COMPANY
                                            -------------------------
                                            (Registrant)

Date:  April 14, 2005                By: /s/ C. M. MacGillivray
                                             -------------------
                                             C. M. MacGillivray Assistant
                                             Secretary

                                      -2-
EXHIBIT INDEX
                                  -------------

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

Exhibit 99.1               Moody's Press Release
                           dated April 5, 2005

Exhibit 99.2               S&P's Press Release
                           dated April 8, 2005

Exhibit 99.3               DBRS Press Release
                           dated April 11, 2005

Exhibit 99.4               DBRS Press Release
                           dated April 11, 2005

Exhibit 99.5               Fitch Press Release
                           dated April 11, 2005

                                       -3-