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Ford strengthens European leadership team

Stephen Odell

COLOGNE, GERMANY - Ford Motor Company today is making anumber of personnel announcements designed to strengthen its Europeansenior management team and organization.

Stephen Odell is named Chief Operating Officer, Ford of Europe. Odell,53, will report to John Fleming, President and CEO, Ford of Europe, andassume responsibility for Ford of Europe’s Product Development,Manufacturing, Purchasing, and Marketing, Sales and Service operations. Inhis new role, Odell will accelerate the drive to reduce complexity and leadFord of Europe’s growing role in developing global vehicleprograms.

“Stephen has done an excellent job of reinvigorating ourMarketing, Sales and Service functions since he returned to Ford ofEurope,” Fleming said. “As we move into a more intensive phaseof our global transformation, now is the right time to make more ofStephen’s extensive operational experience around the world. Givinghim operational responsibility for Ford of Europe will help us raise ourgame as we take a prominent role in developing new vehiclesglobally.”

Ingvar Sviggum, 62, will replace Odell as Vice President, Marketing,Sales and Service, Ford of Europe and also has been elected a corporateofficer.

“I’m delighted that Ingvar will be stepping up to leadMarketing, Sales and Service for Ford of Europe - there is nobody betterexperienced,” said Odell. “He has shown great leadership indriving our recent, strong volume growth across Europe.”

Both appointments are effective on April 1.

Also reporting to Odell in his new position will be Jim Tetreault, VicePresident, Manufacturing, Ford of Europe, Joe Bakaj, Vice President,Product Development, Ford of Europe and Birgit Behrendt, Vice President,Purchasing, Ford of Europe.

John Fleming, 57, continues to lead Ford of Europe as its President andChief Executive Officer, reporting to Lewis Booth, Executive Vice Presidentfor Ford of Europe and Premier Automotive Group. Fleming remainsresponsible for the development and implementation of the Ford of Europebusiness plan in all its aspects, and chairs the Ford of Europe ExecutiveOperating Committee.

"Ford of Europe is seeing impressive growth performance in many marketsand has an aggressive new product introduction programme that sees over 20new vehicles and derivatives being launched this year alone," said Fleming."Now, with Ford of Europe playing an increasingly important role in thedevelopment of global products like the all-new Fiesta, the time is rightto strengthen the leadership team and maintain this momentum for a strongfuture."