Ford sales chief bails after four months

Earl Hesterberg, Ford's vice president for North American marketing, sales and service, announced that he is leaving Ford after just four months at his post. He will become CEO of Houston-based Group 1 Automotive Inc, which owns 96 dealerships around the country. Steve Lyons, vice president and president of the Ford Division will take over Hesterberg's position. Yesterday Ford's stock dropped 5.4 percent as the market responded to their lower-earnings announcement.