Ford shakes up management to boost North America
Ford Motor Co. (F.N: Quote, Profile, Research), the No. 2 U.S. automaker, on Thursday announced a management shake-up designed to stem steep losses in its North American automotive operations.
Ford, which earlier this week unveiled one of the largest product recalls in automotive history, named Mark Fields, 44, to serve as a corporate executive vice president and president of the company's Americas business.
"(Fields') next challenge is to lead The Americas automotive operations back to a sustained level of profitability while producing the best cars and trucks in the industry," Chief Executive Bill Ford said in a statement.
Fields, 44, will replace Greg Smith, 54, who will become vice chairman. Both men were named to their current positions in April 2004.
Ford's CEO had previously said he would announce the automaker's turnaround plan for the North American auto unit "before fall gets too old," and the company had said it was working on more restructuring actions to halt the losses.
The Spies say Mark is the best up and coming executive in the business and believe if he can't turn it around, no one can.
Maybe he can't guarantee a win for Ford like Broadway Joe but he's got great brand/business sense and he is natural leader and motivtor.
We wish him the best of luck!