Key Executive Appointments
Ford Motor Co
20 March 2008
Embargoed until March 21, 2008 - 13:15hrs(BKK); 14:15hrs(SHG); 15:15hrs(Tokyo)
NEWS
Contact: Marcey Evans Mark Truby Craig von Essen Neal McCarthy
Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Mazda Motor Corp. Ford Motor Company,
Company Asia Pacific and Africa
(313)673-3846 (313)663-6887 81-82-5651088 66-2-6864319
mevansl3@ford.com mtruby@ford.com vonessen.c@mazda.co.jp nmccart5@ford.com
FORD ANNOUNCES KEY EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS IN ASIA PACIFIC AND AFRICA, MAZDA
• Mei-Wei Cheng, 58, is elected group vice president, Ford Motor Company, and appointed
executive chairman, Ford Motor China.
• Robert J. Graziano, 48, a Ford Motor Company vice president, is appointed president and
CEO of Ford Motor China.
• Philip G. Spender, 54, is elected a Ford Motor Company vice president and named executive
vice president, Mazda Motor Corporation.
DEARBORN, Mich., March 21 - Ford Motor Company today announced key executive
appointments within the senior leadership team of its Asia Pacific and Africa
business unit to support the continued expansion of the company's fast-growing
China operations and to deepen its partner relationships and synergies with
Mazda. The appointments are effective April 1.
Mei-Wei Cheng has been elected group vice president, Ford Motor Company, and
named executive chairman of Ford Motor China. Cheng previously served as
chairman and CEO of Ford Motor China. He will continue to report to John Parker,
executive vice president, Ford Motor Company's Asia Pacific and Africa business
region.
'Mei Wei is an exceptional leader who has been pivotal to the success we're
experiencing within our China operations today,' said Alan Mulally, Ford
president and CEO. 'He has led the team responsible for growing Ford's brand and
product presence in China, making Ford one of the fastest growing automakers in
that market during the past few years. I look forward to his continued
leadership in this region, which is extremely important to Ford.'
In his new role, Cheng will be responsible for Ford Motor China's business
strategy, as well as strengthening strategic partnerships and government
relations. Since joining Ford in 1998, Cheng has been instrumental in
establishing and growing Ford Motor China's joint-venture partnerships with
Changan Group and Jiangling Motors Corporation, launching the Ford brand in
China, and continuously expanding the infrastructure and operations of Ford
Motor China.
'Mei-Wei is vital to our continual drive for further expansion in the China
market. Under his leadership, Ford has made a successful and rapid climb into
China's top ten auto makers. We're more competitive today, and better positioned
for the future, thanks in large part to his strategic direction,' John Parker
said.
Robert J. Graziano, currently executive vice president for Mazda Motor
Corporation, has been appointed president and CEO, Ford Motor China, In his new
role, Graziano, who continues as a Ford Motor Company vice president, will
assume direct responsibility for the operations and business leadership of Ford
Motor China. Graziano will remain a representative director on Mazda's Board of
Directors.
'Bob's hands-on leadership style and commitment will be central to driving our
China business and future growth plans for the China market. Working together
with Mei-Wei and the entire Ford Motor China management team, we're confident
that he'll continue the successful push of our brand presence, and increasing
sales and market share,' Parker said.
Graziano began his career with Ford in 1982, and has held positions in Sales and
Marketing, Finance, and Product and Brand Strategy, as well as in general
management, running Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa, and most recently at
Mazda, based in Hiroshima, Japan.
Philip G. Spender has been elected a Ford Motor Company vice president and
executive vice president of Mazda Motor Corporation. Spender, a 32-year veteran
of Ford, is currently the company's chief operating officer of Ford Motor China,
where he has had oversight of the company's operations and joint ventures in
Greater China. In his new role, Spender will continue to drive Mazda's
successful brand building around the world.
'Phil is a deeply experienced auto industry professional. He has played an
integral role in the development of Ford and Mazda's strong partnership,
including leading Auto Alliance International, the successful joint-venture
between Ford and Mazda in North America, and presiding over the formation and
expansion of Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd., our successful
joint-venture in China,' Parker said. 'It's this experience and these
contributions that have led to his appointment on Mazda's global leadership
team.'
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn,
Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six
continents. With about 245,000 employees and about 100 plants worldwide, the
company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Jaguar, Land
Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial
services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding
Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange