Ford Puts Succession Plan In Motion.

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Ford Motor Co.'s elevation of Mark Fields to chief operating officer cements his position
as heir to CEO Alan Mulally after 2014, and that the automaker is confident it has the home
grown talent needed to continue its revival.

The methodical succession plan announced Thursday also suggests stability in the executive
suite of a company long known for what Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr. called "empire building
and back biting."

With at least 26 months before his retirement, Mulally, 67, will have time to see through his
plans to build up Ford's presence in Asia and shore up its European operations, as
well as to mentor Fields.

Thursday's move also should reassure investors concerned about an abrupt handoff
from Mulally, whose vision is largely credited with saving Ford without the bankruptcy
and federal bailout required at General Motors and Chrysler.

As chief operating officer, a position that had been vacant since Mulally took over in 2006,
Fields gets the opportunity to further prove his mettle. He is 51, and has been Ford's
president of the Americas.

"This appears from the outside to be an elegant solution for a handover period of succession,"
said industry analyst Adam Jonas of Morgan Stanley Research.

The announcement of Fields' elevation and other promotions from within Ford's executive
ranks is strong evidence of how much the Dearborn-based automaker has changed
under Mulally's leadership.

From The Detroit News:

Other key executive moves

Ford unveiled several other key executive moves, including shifting Joe Hinrichs from
head of Ford's Asian operations to Fields' post as president of the Americas.
With Fields now clearly in position to succeed Mulally, Hinrichs — widely viewed as
one of the company's brightest stars — takes his place next in line for the top job.

The additional title of executive vice president of Lincoln was given to Jim Farley,
vice president of global marketing, sales and service.

Farley's new role as head of Lincoln underscores Ford's renewed commitment
to its struggling luxury brand.

Ford of Europe President Stephen Odell's assumption of responsibility for Africa and
the Middle East will allow Ford Motor China Chairman and CEO Dave Schoch, as
the new head of Ford's Asia-Pacific group, to focus entirely on the critical task of
expanding its presence in the fast-growing markets of Asia.

The promotions are effective Dec. 1.

From The Detroit News:

So the upshot is that Fields moves to Chief Operating Officer filling a vacant position
as a grooming position to succeed Mulally.

Joe Hindrics replaces mark Fields as President of the Americas, Jim Farley gets expanded
roles as part of Lincoln

Steve Odell as CEO of Ford Europe assumes responsibility for Middle East and Africa
leaving the new Ford Asia Pacific CEO Dave Schoch to concentrate on China, Asia,
Australia and India.