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Jim Farley will climb aboard at Ford in mid-November, after defecting from his position as Group Vice President and General Manager of Lexus. His role at Ford will be dual-fold. Farley will be heading up the effort to entice people to buy Ford vehicles as Group Vice President of Marketing and Communications. In addition to his MarCom responsibilities, Farley will also be taking on the U.S. marketing, sales, and service for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury, a job most recently filled by the retired Cisco Codina. Ford needs to get North American consumers excited about their cars, and having Farley in charge of global marketing and communications as well as US sales makes us think that there will be some connection between the two efforts, keeping the messaging coherent and focused. Being able to see how sales are driven by marketing efforts, and Farley's track record at Toyota and Lexus would make it appear that he's equipped to understand and react to sales metrics. That understanding hopefully bodes well for Ford, and all the rhetoric is exceedingly positive about how everyone all around is excited for Farley to come aboard and make a miracle.

Ford's press release is after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Jim Farley gets to wear two hats at Ford

Jim Farley gets to wear two hats at Ford originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 03 Nov 2007 07:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler isn't the only carmaker in Detroit invigorating its management team. Ford, too, is undergoing a management shakeup and has announced today the promotion of two key staff and the retirement of another. Ford's Asia Pacific and Africa division gets a new executive vice president in the form of 59 year old John Parker, while Ford itself is getting a new executive vice president with the appointment of 57 year old Mike Bannister.

Walking out the door after 30 years as Ford's North American Marketing Sales and Service chief is Francisco Codina, whose replacement is still being sought by CEO Alan Mullaly. During his tenure at Ford, Codina has worked as the Blue Oval's general marketing manager, president of its Argentina team and a number of other marketing roles.

With Chrysler pinching several key members from Toyota's management team, including legendary US boss Jim Press, and now Ford promoting several key members within its own team of exec, it's time to start the rumor mill on GM.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Executive Shuffle: Cisco Codina retires from Ford

Executive Shuffle: Cisco Codina retires from Ford originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Sep 2007 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cisco codinacisco codina fordcisco codina ford retirementcisco codina retiresCiscoCodinaCiscoCodinaFordCiscoCodinaFordRetirementCiscoCodinaRetiresjohn parkerjohn parket fordJohnParkerJohnParketFordmike bannisterMikeBannistermikebannister fordMikebannisterFordFri, 21 Sep 2007 08:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Chicago Auto Show: 2008 Ford Taurus X unveiled]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/07/chicago-auto-show-2008-ford-taurus-x-unveiled/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/07/chicago-auto-show-2008-ford-taurus-x-unveiled/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/07/chicago-auto-show-2008-ford-taurus-x-unveiled/#commentsFiled under: , ,


High-res gallery of live and press pics available by clicking above image

Today in Chicago, Ford Motor Company's Cisco Codina unveiled the new Freestyle Taurus X. As we told you in our preview post, the Taurus X loses the Freestyle name but gains the Edge's face. It's a simple act that helps build a familial look for Ford's crossovers. And just like the new Sable and Taurus, it will get the 260-horsepower V6 and additional content like the Microsoft co-developed Ford Sync. Unlike the Sable and Taurus, the X gets three row of seats, one-touch flip-and-fold second-row seating and an available power rear liftgate. All three vehicles will be in dealers by this summer.

At breakfast this morning, Mark Fields helped explain the switch back to the Taurus (and Sable) monikers. "Taurus has been an icon for Ford's family sedan for more than two decades, and it's time to return this powerful name to where it belongs. Consumer awareness of the Taurus name is double the Five Hundred that it's replacing, and awareness of Sable is triple that of Montego." Makes sense to us. The details may have changed, but this remains one handsome wagon/crossover. Sort of an SRX with a Blue Oval. Pretty sexy for this segment, and a good sharp alternative to the Edge's softer silhouette. Read more details about the "new" Taurus X in the full press release after the jump, and check out the gallery here, where you'll see a Taurus X that looks particularly good in all black.

[Source: Ford]

Gallery: 2008 Ford Taurus X

Continue reading Chicago Auto Show: 2008 Ford Taurus X unveiled

Chicago Auto Show: 2008 Ford Taurus X unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Feb 2007 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Cisco CodinaCiscoCodinaFord FreestyleFord Taurus XFordFreestyleFordTaurusXMark FieldsMarkFieldsWed, 07 Feb 2007 14:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Chicago Auto Show: Mercury revives the Sable for 2008]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/07/chicago-auto-show-mercury-revives-the-sable-for-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/07/chicago-auto-show-mercury-revives-the-sable-for-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/07/chicago-auto-show-mercury-revives-the-sable-for-2008/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click image for full high-res gallery of live and media pics

Shocking absolutely nobody, Ford's Cisco Codina revealed Mercury's newest model in Chicago today, the 2008 Sable, and we've got live shots and additional official images for you. We've already talked about what a great decision this was, and even given you the details about this "new" model, but we'll sum it up so you don't have to use our search feature, as nifty as the new search might be.

By resurrecting the Sable (and Taurus) nameplates, Ford will save millions of dollars trying to imprint the 500 and Montego brands on customers' minds. Sable alone has a 60% customer awareness level. Dealers in particular were cited as a strong voice in bringing back the name for Mercury. The car itself is pretty handsome wearing its new face. Strongly resembling the outgoing Montego with a Milan schnoz, the new Sable should offend nobody, and possibly boost dealer traffic. Perhaps in an attempt to explain why the Mercury division won't likely get a tall-wagon version like Ford's Taurus X, Codina pointed out that Mercury's Mariner cute ute is generating more conquest sales from other brands outside the Blue Oval than any other vehicle besides the Mustang.

You can check out the full press release again after the jump, or browse the gallery that includes never-before-seen shots from the manufacturer and images from the show floor.

Gallery: 2008 Mercury Sable

Continue reading Chicago Auto Show: Mercury revives the Sable for 2008

Chicago Auto Show: Mercury revives the Sable for 2008 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Feb 2007 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Cisco CodinaCiscoCodinaMercury MontegoMercury SableMercuryMontegoMercurySableWed, 07 Feb 2007 13:55:00 EST