Ford's Bold gamble on outsider is risky move

Bill Ford Jr. promised "radical" change as part of Ford Motor Co.'s bid to transform its North American car and truck business. On Tuesday, he delivered.

In a move unprecedented in Ford's 103-year history, the great-grandson of founder Henry Ford replaced himself as CEO with a 37-year veteran of the aerospace industry who freely admits he isn't a "car guy" -- "Can you make me a car guy?" Ford's new president and CEO Alan Mulally asked me -- and drives a Lexus.

This has "risk" written all over it. Not because Mulally, 61, doesn't come highly recommended, because by most accounts the head of Boeing Co.'s commercial aircraft division does. Bill Ford says Ford director John Thornton asked General Electric Chairman Jeffrey Immelt's opinion of Mulally, and the new Ford CEO received "five stars" -- evidently more than the industry players Bill Ford says he considered.


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bubbahotep - 9/6/2006 11:34:04 AM

+1 Boost

I wonder if ol' Henry is rolling over in his grave...

mstangpny07 - 9/6/2006 5:49:33 PM

+1 Boost

Does this new guy even know a thing about cars?

I can see it now-

Ford Exec- Uh, Mr. Mulally, what do you want to do with the Shelby Mustang?

Mulally- Shelby's Mustang? Is Shelby my new secretary? Sure, give her a Mustang.

mstangpny07 - 9/6/2006 10:07:35 PM

+1 Boost

He'll be driving a Five-Hundred.
Guarauntee it.

BavarianMotorrad - 9/7/2006 12:10:52 PM

+1 Boost

They should put his ass in a Ford Focus( or any other equivalent FORD model they have in their shitty lineup) so he can relate first hand why the company is in shambles.