Ford Restructures Luxury Car Group-Buh-Bye Reitzle Halooo-Fields

DETROIT AP has reported that the head of Ford Motor Co.'s luxury car group, Wolfgang Reitzle, is leaving the nation's second biggest automaker to take a position with a German engineering firm.

The announcement Friday that Reitzle is leaving effective May 1 as head of Ford's Premier Automotive Group came as Ford disclosed it is reorganizing the division.

Ford said it is moving its Lincoln and Mercury brands into its North American Consumer Business Group, while keeping its Volvo, Aston Martin, Jaguar and Land Rover brands under the Premier Automotive Group.

There had been speculation that a rift had developed between Reitzle and Ford president and chief operating officer Nick Scheele. Scheele dismissed those rumors during a conference call with analysts on Wednesday.

But Scheele had said during that call that Ford was conducting a study to help determine whether Lincoln and Mercury should remain a part of the Premier Automotive Group.

Reitzle is joining Linde AG, a leading German engineering company, as its chief executive. He also will continue to assist Ford as a consultant on product, design and marketing issues.

Reitzle will be replaced by Mark Fields, currently the representative director, president and chief executive officer of Mazda Motor Corp. and a Ford vice president.

Fields has been elected group vice president of the Premier Automotive Group effective July 1. In the interim, the presidents of Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo will report directly to Scheele.

"We are committed to our strategy for maximizing the potential of our premium brands," Bill Ford, chairman and chief executive officer, said in a statement. "These brands are strong and that strength stems from exceptional products and talented people, a combination that will deliver outstanding results going forward."

Jim O'Connor, formerly president of Ford Division, has been elected group vice president for North American Marketing Sales and Service, overseeing Ford and Lincoln Mercury and reporting to Jim Padilla, group vice president, North America.

Steve Lyons, previously Ford Division general sales manager, has been elected a Ford vice president and president of Ford Division.

Brian Kelley will continue as president of Lincoln Mercury. Lyons and Kelley will report to O'Connor.