Ford Puts Succession Plan In Motion.

[jpd80]

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.

[Jason[98.EL]]

Originally Posted by jpd80

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.

what does this mean for au is this guy a fan of the falcon or could it be the nail in the coffin for us here in au

just a question not trying to sound negative

Jason

[falconnut]

Not sure, i mean if the falcon did get replaced by a new platform at least it would have some aussie input, apparently its a new mustang.

[geehaa]

Good thing to get management sorted in a structured way. The markets seem to respond well to consistency and continuity. Now for the product line up...

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Jason[98.EL]

what does this mean for au is this guy a fan of the falcon or could it be the nail in the coffin for us here in au

just a question not trying to sound negative

Jason

Joe Hinrichs os a rising star, smart money says he will move to Chief Operating Officer after Mark Fields replaces Alan Mulally.

I have a feeling that it's not just one or two executives championing Falcon, all want to see it survive
but are realistic about the ned to control costs and use "One Ford" suppliers and engineering to do it.

Of more interest is the move to include Africa and Middle East under Ford Europe's wing,
Middl East was always the provence of Ford Nth America and Africa was part of Asia pacific but the realignment
seems to make good geographical sense and gives Europe some very lucrative Middle Eastern markets.

So now the focus on Ford Asia Pacific will now be Australasia, Asia , India and China, making us a closer group.

[Buntz]

Not a fan of hinrichs

[Bossxr8]

Mark Fields would be a good choice to replace Mullally. He did an amazing job resurrecting Mazda in the 90's when they were up against it, he turned them around and back into a solidly profitable business, till the GFC put an end to that.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Mark Fields would be a good choice to replace Mullally. He did an amazing job resurrecting Mazda in the 90's when they were up against it, he turned them around and back into a solidly profitable business, till the GFC put an end to that.

And he was the main architect of th Way froward plans for restructuring North America,
Joe hinrichs will be a capable deputy following behind him but all of Ford's top Execs
seem to be people of high calibre, I really hope Jim Farlery makes Lincoln hsi own baby
and gets the job done with resurrecting it...

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Mark Fields would be a good choice to replace Mullally. He did an amazing job resurrecting Mazda in the 90's when they were up against it, he turned them around and back into a solidly profitable business, till the GFC put an end to that.

Or you could say once he left things slowly went backwards, again a compliment to his abilities.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

Or you could say once he left things slowly went backwards, again a compliment to his abilities.

Yes, Mazda really can survive too well without Ford, they need Ford much more than Ford needs Mazda.