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May 22, 2017 02:00 AM

Fields retires as Ford CEO in shake-up; ex-Steelcase head named new chief

Michael Martinez
Automotive News
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    Michael Martinez, Automotive News
    Jim Hackett (left) most recently served as chairman of Ford Smart Mobility has been named Ford's new CEO. He appeared with Executive Chairman Bill Ford (right) at a press conference May 22.

    DETROIT—Ford Motor Co., in a sweeping management shake-up, named Jim Hackett, former CEO of Steelcase Inc., as its new chief executive, replacing Mark Fields, 56, who is stepping down amid pressure from shareholders over a slumping stock price.

    In addition to leading the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based office furniture manufacturer, Hackett also helped revive the University of Michigan football team by hiring coach Jim Harbaugh during a tenure as interim athletic director.

    Executive Chairman Bill Ford, speaking Monday, compared Hackett to Alan Mulally, the CEO who took over and steered Ford through the Great Recession.

    "Alan captured the hearts and minds of our employees and made them feel not only could we win, but that we would win," Ford told reporters. "I think that's something that you'll see very much with Jim. Jim is a cultural change agent."

    Hackett, 62, most recently served as chairman of Ford Smart Mobility. Ford created that subsidiary last year to handle its investments in autonomous vehicles and new mobility services. Fields has been pouring billions into self-driving cars and ride-sharing experiments as its traditional car business has struggled in a slowing U.S. market.

    "I do think the vision and our role in that future has to be better," Hackett said. "I know that that can be better and we can build enthusiasm for Ford."

    Ford said that—even after Mulally's changes—the company still was too reliant on a corporate hierarchy to get things done.

    "Bureaucracy and hierarchy overwhelmed what could be faster decision making," Ford said. "The clock speed at which the world is moving, and our competitors, really requires us to make decisions at a faster pace…And we have to trust our people to move fast. It's not command and control."

    Hackett said much of his job will involve motivating the team at Ford, something he did while at UM and Steelcase.

    "The biggest challenge, is to have everybody see the future," he said. "It's our right to win there. We don't have to cede that to anybody. Tesla, anybody."

    Ford said Fields has elected to retire from Ford after 28 years with the company. Ford said company directors made the decision after a Friday board meeting.

    "Mark had a tremendous career at Ford and did great things," Ford said. "He put us financially in a great position to chart the future."

    Of the decision to let Fields go, Ford said that "no decision like this is made hastily. There had been discussions for some time."

    Stock down

    Fields had been under pressure for the company's lagging stock price and lower-than-expected profits so far this year.

    Board members reportedly had been questioning Fields' strategy for the future of the company, which relies on heavy investments in driverless and electric vehicle technology. Since Fields took over as CEO from Alan Mullally in July 2014, Ford's stock price has fallen nearly 40 percent.

    Last week, Ford announced it would slash 1,400 salaried workers in North America and Asia as a cost-cutting move as it continues to spend on what it calls "emerging opportunities." That type of move, normally reserved for distressed business units and economic downturns, came amid a relative boom time for the industry.

    Ford career

    Before he was named CEO, Fields served in a number of positions, including chief operating officer and president of the Americas. During his time leading the Americas, Fields was the architect of Ford's "Way Forward" plan to restructure the business as its profits disappeared during the last industry downturn.

    He also served as CEO of Mazda.

    When he took over for Mulally in 2014, Fields inherited an auto maker on the verge of posting record profits. He also oversaw the transformation of the profit-generating F-150 to include an aluminum body, as well as dozens of other product launches. Fields also appointed a separate president to head the Lincoln Motor Co. in an effort to revive the luxury brand.

    Executives, including Ford, praised Fields early on and said the transition between CEOs had been seamless.

    But Fields came under fire in recent years as Wall Street remained unimpressed with Ford's profits and plans for the future. At last year's annual meeting, one shareholder even asked to bring back Mulally—a popular figure who helped save the company during the financial crisis.

    Other major moves

    In addition to the CEO changes, Ford announced:

    • Jim Farley is appointed executive vice president and president, Global Markets. He previously served as president of Ford's Europe, Middle East and Africa. Farley will be returning to Ford headquarters in the U.S., a spokesman said.

    Among his new duties, Farley will preside over the Lincoln luxury brand. Lincoln President Kumar Galhotra will report to Farley.

    • Joe Hinrichs, formerly president of the Americas, was appointed executive vice president and president, Global Operations.

    Raj Nair will continue to serve as head of Ford product development, and will report to Hinrichs, a spokesman said.

    • Marcy Klevorn is appointed executive vice president and president, Mobility.

    Those three appointments are effective June 1. New leaders to succeed Hinrichs, Farley and Klevorn will be the subject of a future announcement, Ford said.

    • Paul Ballew was appointed vice president and Chief Data and Analytics Officer.

    • Mark Truby also replaces Ray Day as head of communications. Day will stay on to "provide consulting services" through the end of the year. Truby will report to Bill Ford.

    Forbes first reported the management changes Sunday night.

    Ford shares rose 1.6 percent to $11.04 as of 11:05 a.m., EST, in New York.

     

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