Ford Announces Retirements of Two Senior Leaders; Makes Key Appointments To Support 'One Ford' Plan

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) today announced the retirements of two senior executives in the Asia Pacific and Africa region and announced other key executive appointments to support the company's "One Ford" transformation plan.

John Parker, executive vice president, Asia Pacific and Africa, is retiring effective Jan. 1, 2010, after a 41-year career with the company.

Parker, 62, joined Ford in South Africa and has held numerous senior leadership positions within Ford's Asia Pacific and Africa region, including the Southeast Asia region, South Africa, Taiwan, Australia and India.

He also served as senior executive vice president, Mazda Motor Corporation. He has been Ford's senior leader for Asia Pacific and Africa since 2006, with responsibility for all Ford operations and partnerships in the region.

"John's leadership has been instrumental in establishing and expanding our operations in Asia Pacific and Africa," said Alan Mulally, Ford president and CEO. "John and his team are making incredible progress profitably growing Ford's presence in this rapidly expanding region. He clearly is leaving a strong foundation for future growth in Asia and has our deepest gratitude for more than four decades of service and dedication."

Ford also announced that Phil Spender, Ford vice president and executive vice president, Mazda Motor Corporation, is retiring effective Jan. 1, 2010.

Spender, 55, joined Ford New Zealand in 1975 before he moved on to senior manufacturing leadership roles at Ford Australia. He was instrumental in establishing operations at Ford India and automotive joint ventures across China. He led the transformation of the Ford Mazda joint venture, AutoAlliance International, in North America.

In 2008, Spender was elected vice president of Ford and elected by Mazda as an executive vice president and representative director. Based in Japan, Spender has guided the transition of Ford's reduced shareholding in Mazda and contributed to Mazda's global restructuring and quick return to profitability during the global financial crisis.

"Phil's contributions to our business and relationships have been invaluable to Ford," Mulally said. "Phil has worked all around the world for Ford and has been instrumental in developing strong growing businesses, most notably in India and China."

Concurrent with the announcement of Parker's and Spender's retirement, Ford also announced two key leadership changes that will support the company's "One Ford" transformation plan.

Joe Hinrichs, 42, who is currently group vice president, Global Manufacturing and Labor Affairs, will succeed Parker as Ford's group vice president and president, Asia Pacific and Africa, and operate out of Shanghai, China. His appointment is effective Dec. 1, and he will work closely with Parker to ensure a smooth transaction.

Hinrichs joined Ford in 2000 as plant manager of the Van Dyke Transmission Plant in Sterling Heights, Mich. Since then, he has served in a number of key leadership positions within Ford's manufacturing operations, including executive director of the company's Material Planning and Logistics organization, manufacturing director for Vehicle Operations, vice president of Vehicle Operations and vice president of North America Manufacturing. Hinrichs also served as president and CEO of Ford Motor Company of Canada. He assumed his current position in January 2008.

"Joe's keen business sense, his ability to foster strong relationships with key business partners and his leadership skills will serve him well as he builds upon the momentum Ford has in the Asia Pacific region," Mulally said. "Joe has led our drive toward a global manufacturing system and worked with Ford's labor partners to improve the company's competitiveness. I am thrilled to announce him as our new leader in Asia Pacific and Africa."

John Fleming, 58, will add the role of Global Manufacturing and Labor Affairs to his current responsibilities as executive vice president and chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe, effective Dec. 1. Fleming will continue to be based in Cologne, Germany.

Fleming joined Ford in 1967 at the company's Halewood facility and has an extensive background in manufacturing at Ford, having served in a number of management roles, including director of Global Manufacturing Engineering and New Model Programs, executive director of the U.S. Ford Stamping Business Unit and vice president, Manufacturing, Ford of Europe. Just prior to his current position, Fleming served as president and chief executive officer, Ford of Europe.

"John earned a reputation as one of the industry's top manufacturing executives," Mulally said. "He's the right person to lead our Global Manufacturing and Labor Affairs organization as we continue to develop the One Ford vision of lean, flexible plants with common processes around the world."

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 200,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.