Ford Corporate Realignment Promises New Light

Alan Mulally, president and CEO of Ford Motor Co., earlier announced a corporate realignment. Said realignment delved into putting greater concentration on its worldwide market as well as customers without compromising assets and capabilities leverage.

Realignment carries with it a new structure. Now, Mark Fields, Ford of the Americas; Lewis Booth, Ford of Europe and the Premier Automotive Group; and John Parker, Ford of Asia Pacific and Africa, and Mazda; will all be reporting directly to Mulally. In regard to business units' support, Derrick Kuzak will lead global product development. Kuzak will also report directly to Mulally. He will continue managing product development for the Americas. He will also be supported by J Mays, who is responsible for Ford design.

Tony Brown, purchasing; Bennie Fowler, quality and advanced manufacturing engineering; Nick Smither, information technology; and Richard Parry-Jones, chief technical officer will now be reporting to the Ford CEO. Mulally's other direct reports is unchanged.

In an interview, Mulally said, "An integrated, global product development team supporting our automotive business units will enable us to make the best use of our global assets and capabilities and accelerate development of the new vehicles our customers prefer, and do so more efficiently. This new leadership will enable us to work together more effectively as one Ford team to continuously improve the quality, productivity and speed of our product development process."

Ford, an automotive industry leader, manufactures and distributes vehicles in 200 markets globally. It has about 100 plants and 300,000 workers around the globe. Ford units include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Ford vehicles are now aimed at excellent to boost the automaker's standing.

Ford's Jaguar unit is now concentrating on its concept car called C-XF, a four-door sedan set to make its debut at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. The car boasts its engine mechanical Jaguar parts that signify the next-generation technology. “The Jaguar C-XF concept is the most dynamic and modern four-door car that Jaguar has ever created, a design showcase heralding the next generations of our sports saloon models,” said Ian Callum, Jaguar director of design. “It signals a future for Jaguar that is as exciting as the C-XF itself.”

Michelle Crimson holds a degree in business administration. She is currently working as an editor in New Orleans, Louisiana. This 32 year old mother of two is also a car racing fanatic.