FDM Group Regulatory News (FDM)

25 Mar 2008 07:00

Ford Motor Co20 March 2008 Embargoed until March 21, 2008 - 13:15hrs(BKK); 14:15hrs(SHG); 15:15hrs(Tokyo)NEWS Contact: Marcey Evans Mark Truby Craig von Essen Neal McCarthy Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Mazda Motor Corp. Ford Motor Company, Company Asia Pacific and Africa (313)673-3846 (313)663-6887 81-82-5651088 66-2-6864319 mevansl3@ford.com mtruby@ford.com vonessen.c@mazda.co.jp nmccart5@ford.com FORD ANNOUNCES KEY EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS IN ASIA PACIFIC AND AFRICA, MAZDA • Mei-Wei Cheng, 58, is elected group vice president, Ford Motor Company, and appointed executive chairman, Ford Motor China.• Robert J. Graziano, 48, a Ford Motor Company vice president, is appointed president and CEO of Ford Motor China.• Philip G. Spender, 54, is elected a Ford Motor Company vice president and named executive vice president, Mazda Motor Corporation. DEARBORN, Mich., March 21 - Ford Motor Company today announced key executiveappointments within the senior leadership team of its Asia Pacific and Africabusiness unit to support the continued expansion of the company's fast-growingChina operations and to deepen its partner relationships and synergies withMazda. The appointments are effective April 1. Mei-Wei Cheng has been elected group vice president, Ford Motor Company, andnamed executive chairman of Ford Motor China. Cheng previously served aschairman and CEO of Ford Motor China. He will continue to report to John Parker,executive vice president, Ford Motor Company's Asia Pacific and Africa businessregion. "Mei Wei is an exceptional leader who has been pivotal to the success we'reexperiencing within our China operations today," said Alan Mulally, Fordpresident and CEO. "He has led the team responsible for growing Ford's brand andproduct presence in China, making Ford one of the fastest growing automakers inthat market during the past few years. I look forward to his continuedleadership in this region, which is extremely important to Ford." In his new role, Cheng will be responsible for Ford Motor China's businessstrategy, as well as strengthening strategic partnerships and governmentrelations. Since joining Ford in 1998, Cheng has been instrumental inestablishing and growing Ford Motor China's joint-venture partnerships withChangan Group and Jiangling Motors Corporation, launching the Ford brand inChina, and continuously expanding the infrastructure and operations of FordMotor China. "Mei-Wei is vital to our continual drive for further expansion in the Chinamarket. Under his leadership, Ford has made a successful and rapid climb intoChina's top ten auto makers. We're more competitive today, and better positionedfor the future, thanks in large part to his strategic direction," John Parkersaid. Robert J. Graziano, currently executive vice president for Mazda MotorCorporation, has been appointed president and CEO, Ford Motor China, In his newrole, Graziano, who continues as a Ford Motor Company vice president, willassume direct responsibility for the operations and business leadership of FordMotor China. Graziano will remain a representative director on Mazda's Board ofDirectors. "Bob's hands-on leadership style and commitment will be central to driving ourChina business and future growth plans for the China market. Working togetherwith Mei-Wei and the entire Ford Motor China management team, we're confidentthat he'll continue the successful push of our brand presence, and increasingsales and market share," Parker said. Graziano began his career with Ford in 1982, and has held positions in Sales andMarketing, Finance, and Product and Brand Strategy, as well as in generalmanagement, running Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa, and most recently atMazda, based in Hiroshima, Japan. Philip G. Spender has been elected a Ford Motor Company vice president andexecutive vice president of Mazda Motor Corporation. Spender, a 32-year veteranof Ford, is currently the company's chief operating officer of Ford Motor China,where he has had oversight of the company's operations and joint ventures inGreater China. In his new role, Spender will continue to drive Mazda'ssuccessful brand building around the world. "Phil is a deeply experienced auto industry professional. He has played anintegral role in the development of Ford and Mazda's strong partnership,including leading Auto Alliance International, the successful joint-venturebetween Ford and Mazda in North America, and presiding over the formation andexpansion of Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd., our successful joint-venture in China," Parker said. "It's this experience and these contributions that have led to his appointment on Mazda's global leadership team." 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