10th Feb 2006 14:45
Ford Motor Co10 February 2006 Contact: Marcey Evans (313)322-9211 [email protected] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FORD MOTOR COMPANY ANNOUNCESRETIREMENT OF VICE CHAIRMAN DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 10 - After a distinguished 32-year career with Ford MotorCompany, Greg Smith, vice chairman, is electing to retire, effective March 1. Hewill remain a consultant to the Company. As vice chairman, Smith directs central corporate staffs, including HumanResources and Labor Affairs, Corporate Strategy, Information Technology andAutomotive Strategy. He also is responsible for guiding the Company's strategydevelopment, taking a long-term view of key decisions the company faces anddefining the future strategic position of its financial services and automotivebusinesses. "Greg has contributed tremendously to Ford Motor Company in many areas,including leading the turnaround at Ford Motor Credit," said Chairman and ChiefExecutive Officer Bill Ford. "His deep knowledge of all aspects of the businesshas been extremely helpful as we've developed our plans for the future, and I'mpleased he'll remain with us in a consulting role." Smith joined Ford in 1973 as an engineer with Truck Operations. He subsequentlyheld a number of engineering and product planning positions until 1985 when hemoved to Ford Division - first as Truck and Powertrain Marketing Plans manager,then as manager of Car Marketing Plans, and finally, as regional marketingmanager for the Central Region. Smith then moved from Ford Division to LincolnMercury Division to become the Dallas district operations manager. "Greg has been a true friend to the dealer body going all the way back to hisdays in Texas," said Sam Pack, president, Pack Automotive Group. "We will misshis warmth, candor and support." In 1990, when Smith returned from Dallas, he was named director, Strategy andAdvanced Planning for Car Product Development. In 1993, Smith's leadership inthe Company's financial services arm began when he was appointed executivedirector, Strategic Planning and External Affairs for the Ford FinancialServices Group. He later became President and COO of Ford Motor Credit and thenChairman and CEO of Ford Motor Credit. In 2004, Smith became a Company executivevice president and president of The Americas, a position he held until beingelected vice chairman. "Greg's respect for his fellow employees and his leadership behaviors are wellknown and highly regarded throughout the Company," said Jim Padilla, Ford MotorCompany president and chief operating officer. "We appreciate his manycontributions and will greatly miss his knowledge and insight." ### Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn,Mich., manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across sixcontinents. With about 300,000 employees and 108 manufacturing facilitiesworldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include AstonMartin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Itsautomotive-related service includes Ford Motor Credit Company. For moreinformation regarding Ford's products, please visit www.fordvehicles.com. Go to http://media.ford.com for news releases and high-resolution photographs. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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