Ford Worldwide Automotive Operations Personnel Changes

DETROIT November 14, 2002 The Ap reported that Ford Motor Co. promoted two of its key executives and gave them responsibility for all of the company's worldwide automotive operations.

James Padilla and David Thursfield, both of whom were serving as group vice presidents, were named executive vice presidents.

Thursfield last year became president and chief executive of Ford of Europe and later was given responsibility for Ford operations in South America and Asia Pacific as well as global purchasing.

In his new role as president of international operations, Thursfield will oversee the company's Premier Automotive Group -- Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo and Aston Martin -- and Mazda Motor Co.

As North American president, Padilla will continue to lead all operations involved in the development, manufacturing, marketing and sales of Ford, Mercury and Lincoln vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Both will continue to report to Ford President and Chief Operating Officer Nick Scheele.

"By elevating the leaders of the company's two automotive units, we're further sharpening the focus on our core business," said chairman and chief executive Bill Ford Jr.

Mazda had been reporting to Richard Parry-Jones, a group vice president and chief technical officer. The premier group had been Scheele's direct responsibility.

Scheele and Thursfield have been cited for fashioning Ford of Europe into a profitable enterprise by cutting purchasing costs and introducing several new vehicles, among other things.

Now the company is focused on North America, where it hopes to rebound with a revitalization plan that calls for eliminating jobs, models and plants. The goal is to improve profits by $9 billion by mid-decade.