As a previous report revealed, Ford confirmed that Alan Mulally will step down as CEO on July 1, with Mark Fields to succeed him as company president and CEO. Ford says the change was long-planned and the transition will be seamless.
Fields served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) since December 2012 and led Ford’s transformation in North America since 2005.
“Mark has transformed several of our operations around the world into much stronger businesses during his 25 years at Ford. Now, Mark is ready to lead our company into the future as CEO,” said Executive Chairman Bill Ford. 68-year-old
Mulally is retiring after nearly eight years leading Ford. He has led Ford’s transformation and strengthened its position as one of the world’s leading global automakers.
Under Mulally and the company’s One Ford plan for profitable growth, the Blue Oval achieved 19 consecutive quarters of profitability, developed the strongest product lineup in the company’s history and embarked upon its most ambitious global expansion in the past 50 years.
Mulally’s departure will happen approximately six months earlier than previously anticipated. Mark Fields has been leading all of Ford’s global business operations and most skill teams, including product development, manufacturing, purchasing, and marketing, sales and service.
Before his role as COO, Fields served as executive vice president and president – The Americas since October 2005. Earlier, he guided the product-led transformation of Ford’s European operations and formerly held European luxury brands, as well as the relaunch of Ford’s independent operations in Argentina and Mazda’s restructuring.
By Dan Mihalascu
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