---

Ford Appoints New Manufacturing Executive for European Operations

12 August 1997

Ford Appoints New Manufacturing Executive for European Operations

    DEARBORN, Mich., Aug. 12 -- Rolf Zimmermann will join Ford
Motor Company August 18 to assume the newly created position of
General Operations Manager - European Manufacturing.  The appointment was
announced by Robert H. Transou, group vice president - manufacturing, Ford
Automotive Operations.
    Zimmermann has been with the Volkswagen Group, most recently as president
of VW Navarra S.A. in Spain and chief production officer for Skoda.
    Zimmermann will be responsible for all Ford Motor Company engine,
transmission, body and assembly plants, and all manufacturing support
functions in Europe.  He also will oversee a number of facilities in North and
South America and the Asia-Pacific area.
    He will report to John Huston, vice president - Powertrain Operations, to
W. Dale McKeehan, vice president - Vehicle Operations, and as a member of the
Ford Business Management Committee to Keith Magee, vice president - European
Sales Operations.
    Zimmerman, 50, was born in Russelsheim, Germany, has a degree in
Mechanical Engineering from the Technical College at Wiesbaden and also has
attended the GMI Institute in Flint, Mich., and the Harvard Business School.

SOURCE  Ford Motor Company