FDM Group Regulatory News (FDM)

14 Mar 2008 13:35

Ford Motor Co14 March 2008 Contact: Marcey Evans Mark Truby (313) 322-9211 (313) 323-0539 mevans13@ford.com mtruby@ford.com FORD MAKES SENIOR LEADERSHIP CHANGES; ALSO MOVES TO STREAMLINE EXECUTIVE RANKS DEARBORN, Mich., March 14 - Ford Motor Company today announced several executivemoves and title changes that will further strengthen the company's seniorleadership team and streamline its officer-level organizational structure. Stephen Odell is named chief operating officer, Ford of Europe. Odell, 53, willreport to John Fleming, president and CEO, Ford of Europe, and assumeresponsibility for Ford of Europe's Product Development, Manufacturing,Purchasing, and Marketing, Sales and Service operations. Odell joined Ford in1980 and has held key positions at Ford of Europe, Mazda and Jaguar. In his newrole, Odell will accelerate the drive to reduce complexity and lead Ford ofEurope's growing role in developing global vehicle programs. "Stephen has done an excellent job of reinvigorating our Marketing, Sales andService functions since he returned to Ford of Europe," Fleming said. "As wemove into a more intensive phase of our global transformation, now is the righttime to make more of Stephen's extensive operational experience around theworld. Giving him operational responsibility for Ford of Europe will help usraise our game as we take a prominent role in developing new vehicles globally." Ingvar Sviggum, 62, also has been elected a corporate officer and will replaceOdell as vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe. "I'm delighted that Ingvar will be stepping up to lead Marketing, Sales andService for Ford of Europe. There is nobody better experienced," Odell said. "He has shown great leadership in driving our recent, strong volume growthacross Europe." Both appointments are effective on April 1. In addition, Ford is announcing changes in the titles of certain corporateofficer positions in an effort to streamline and clarify its senior-levelorganizational structure going forward. Under the new structure, corporateofficers with global responsibilities who report directly to Ford President andCEO Alan Mulally will carry the title of group vice president. The move doesnot affect Ford's executive vice presidents. Effective April 1, five corporate officers will become group vice president. They are: • Tony Brown, 52, previously senior vice president, Global Purchasing; • Sue Cischke, 54, previously senior vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering; • Bennie Fowler, 51, previously vice president, Quality; • David Leitch, 47, previously senior vice president and General Counsel; and • Nick Smither, 49, previously vice president and Chief Information Officer. "The changes announced today will bolster an already top-notch leadership teamat Ford Motor Company," Mulally said. "At the same time that Ford of Europe isstrengthening its operating leadership, we're reducing management layers amongour senior leaders with global responsibilities. This is a continuing part ofour effort to reduce complexity and streamline our internal processes." Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn,Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across sixcontinents. With about 245,000 employees and about 100 plants worldwide, thecompany's core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, LandRover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financialservices through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regardingFord's products, please visit www.ford.com. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange