Ford “Lutzes”* Francis, will dismiss e-commerce chief

DEARBORN -- The Detroit News reported, that according to company sources Ford Motor Co. plans to dismiss Karen Francis, once considered a rising star in the auto industry, who now heads the automaker's shrinking e-commerce division.

They went on to report that Francis, 39, was informed several weeks ago that her job was being eliminated and that Ford plans to announce the decision as early as next week. Francis will work another month or so before leaving the company, according to a high-ranking Ford official.

The story explained that Francis was one of a number of young executives hired by former Ford Chief Executive Jacques Nasser who appointed Francis as vice president in charge of Ford's ConsumerConnect division. Since April 2001 she has been responsible for the development and implementation of Ford's e-business strategies which it was reported will be absorbed by other Ford departments.

Bye-Bye e and hundreds of millions of dollars.

DN reported that, Ms. Francis prior to joining Ford, Francis was managing director and chief marketing officer of the Internet Capital Group, a technology holding company that manages investments in the e-commerce industry. Ford was an investor in Internet Capital Group. In December, the company sold its shares in the company, losing nearly all of its original $50 million investment.

In October, Ford took a $200 million charge to write off assets in various money-losing Internet ventures. Just last month Ford eliminated its Wingcast joint venture with Qualcomm, which was launched to provide in-car Internet and wireless technology in Ford vehicles. (At a reported cost of $100 million dollars)

The company has also abandoned a number of other e-commerce initiatives, including a program to provide all employees with computers and Internet access. It is also trying to unload Kwik-Fit a UK based auto repair business it bought two years ago for $1.5 BILLION Dollars and reportedly will be happy to take just anything near a billion for it.

Poor Brand is dead... Poor Brand Marketing’s dead (In the car business that is)

Francis, a Dartmouth College graduate with an MBA from Harvard University was among a number of GM executives hired from a consumer product company under the Ron Zarella regime to ostensibly improve General Motor’s brand portfolio

In 1998, she was named general manager of GM's Oldsmobile division. Francis left the Oldsmobile post in 2000 to join Internet Capital Group.

It has always been our opinion at TACH that Ford (and other car builders) should worry about Building Good Cars and leave the media to the media.

* Lutzes: to regain intelligence and once again remember what business you are really in…to return business to the tried and true.