Ford's Head of Hybrid Programs to Leave

DETROIT October 28, 2005; The AP reported that Ford Motor Co.'s high-profile head of hybrid programs is leaving the auto maker, at a time when Ford is relying heavily on its gas-electric hybrid-vehicle program to help turn around its struggling automotive operations.

Mary Ann Wright, Ford's director of hybrid programs and chief engineer on the Ford Escape Hybrid, put in her resignation Friday morning. She is one of many senior managers to recently exit Ford, which in the midst of a corporate restructuring that is to be detailed early next year.

Wright, who had been with Ford since 1988 in high-level engineering roles, was a key face on Ford's hybrid and fuel-efficiency initiatives, going out to California recently to present the California Air Resource Board with a Ford Focus fuel-cell vehicle.

Wright, who held business and engineering degrees from the University of Michigan, also helped host the auto maker's recent hybrid clinics with consumers, where she trumpeted Ford commitment to hybrids and improved vehicle fuel efficiency.

Ford Chairman and Chief Executive Bill Ford recently announced that the auto maker would increase its hybrid-vehicle production tenfold in five years, aiming to build 250,000 hybrid vehicles a year by 2010.

Wright will stay on for at least two weeks. She will be replaced by Nancy Gioia, who previously oversaw engineering of small vehicles for Ford, including the Mustang. Gioia has been with Ford since 1982. Prior to this position, Gioia had held various jobs at Ford, including chief engineer on the 2002 Ford Thunderbird, director of engineering for Ford's passenger cars in North America and a director of current model vehicle quality in North America.

Ford spokesman Oscar Suris said Wright's departure "doesn't change Ford's plans" to increase hybrid production.

Wright's departure comes two weeks after Phil Martens, Ford's vice president of product creation in North America, also left the company. Following Martens out the door was Matt DeMars, Ford vice president for North American vehicle operations.