Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman Bill Ford announced that Alan Mulally will remain Ford president and CEO through at least 2014. At the same time, Mark Fields, Mulally’s most likely successor, was named the company’s new chief operating officer effective Dec. 1. Fields will be responsible for all business operations while Mulally will continue leading the long-term strategic development of the One Ford plan.
Fields will one of four direct reports to Mulally: the others are Ford’s CFO, general counsel and group vice president of Human Resources and Corporate Services.
Ford’s automotive business units will report to Fields along with Product Development; Manufacturing and Labor Affairs; Purchasing; Quality; Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering; Information Technology; Government and Community Relations; Marketing, Sales and Service; and Communications.
The company also made several other concurrent leadership announcements, also effective Dec. 1, including:
Joe Hinrichs will become executive vice president and president of The Americas; Hinrichs is currently group vice president and president of Asia Pacific Africa
Stephen Odell will be executive vice president and president of Europe, Middle East and Africa; Odell is currently group vice president, chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe; Africa is being realigned with Europe and the Middle East under Odell.
Jim Farley takes over as executive vice president of Global Marketing, Sales and Service and Lincoln; Farley, who is currently a group vice president, adds operating responsibility as the senior global leader for Lincoln, working on the recreation of Lincoln as a growing brand instead of a growing headache.
David Schoch is named group vice president and president of Asia Pacific; Schoch is currently chairman and CEO, Ford of China.
John Lawler is elected a Ford Motor Company vice president and named chairman and CEO of Ford Motor China; Lawler is currently CFO, Ford Asia Pacific Africa
“Today marks an important next step in the profitable growth of the Ford Motor Company and the appointment of key leaders who will help us continue to make progress on our One Ford plan,” Bill Ford said. “The strength of our people and stability of our team are competitive advantages for Ford. We are fortunate to have Alan’s continued leadership as well as talented senior leaders throughout our company who are developing and working together and delivering on our plan.”
“In addition to fundamentally transforming our company during the last several years, we have strengthened our team with world-class leaders who will enable us to sustain our One Ford journey,” Mulally said. “All of us at Ford remain absolutely committed to continuing to make progress on our One Ford plan, including dealing decisively with near-term challenges, investing for future growth and developing outstanding products with leading quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart design and value.”