Car news / Polites, CEO of Land Rover and Jaguar, dead at 60 |
20.04.2008
Polites, CEO of Land Rover and Jaguar, dead at 60Car News /
Geoff Polites, the executive who helped Ford Motor Co. sell its Jaguar and Land Rover brands to Tata Motors, passed away Saturday in Australia.
Polites, 60, was CEO of both brands and was expected to stay on once the deal closes in June.
A statement from Ford issued Sunday morning said Polites died peacefully in Australia. News reports said he had been battling a serious illness for the past two years.
Polites, a 40-year veteran of the auto industry, took over as CEO of Jaguar and Land Rover in 2005. Since then the Land Rover brand has returned to profitability and has set yearly sales records. Jaguar is just now launching the XF, a automobile that is widely expected to help reverse years of declining sales.
“Geoff’s untimely passing robs his family and friends of a man who was a real inspiration to us all,” Ford CEO Alan Mulally said in a statement.
“His drive and determination, combined with his clear sense of vision for the business, played a huge role in turning round the business at Jaguar Land Rover and returning it to profitability."
David Smith, Jaguar Land Rover’s chief financial officer, will take over as the acting CEO at Jaguar Land Rover until a successor is appointed.
PRESS RELEASE: GEOFF POLITES, CEO OF JAGUAR LAND ROVER, DIES
DEARBORN, Mich., April 20, 2008 – Geoff Polites, chief executive officer of Jaguar Land Rover, has died peacefully in his home country of Australia. He was 60.
Mr. Polites, who is credited with leading the team that returned the Jaguar Land Rover business back to profitability and successfully steering it through its ongoing sale process to Tata Motors, had been battling serious illness for the past two years.
“Geoff’s untimely passing robs his family and friends of a man who was a real inspiration to us all,” said Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer, Ford Motor Company. “His drive and determination, combined with his clear sense of vision for the business, played a huge role in turning round the business at Jaguar Land Rover and returning it to profitability. Geoff ensured that Jaguar Land Rover was not distracted and continued to focus on the fundamentals of the business during the recent sale process, despite at the time also fighting his own personal health battle.
“He was a trusted colleague and someone who was much respected not just by his peers but by all who had the privilege to work with him. Our sympathies are with his wife and family at this difficult time,” said Mulally.
Lewis Booth, executive vice president responsible for Ford Motor Company’s businesses in Europe, said: “For many of us at Ford and Jaguar Land Rover, we’ve lost not just a respected colleague but a great friend.
“Geoff was always someone to look up to throughout his almost 40-year career in the automotive industry. His passion for the automobile business was legend, but the resolve he showed since taking over as CEO of Jaguar Land Rover in 2005 was something very special.
“His leadership of the team that has put the Jaguar Land Rover business back into profitability has been exceptional. Geoff has given Jaguar Land Rover the solid foundation and established the strong management team it needs for a successful future. We will miss our friend very much.”
David Smith, Jaguar Land Rover’s chief financial officer, will take over as the acting chief executive officer at Jaguar Land Rover until a successor is appointed.
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