DEARBORN (PR Newswire) December 9, 2004 - Ford Motor Company today announced that Chief Operating Officer Jim Padilla has been named president of the Company and elected a director of the Board, both effective February 1, 2004. In addition, the Company also announced a series of executive appointments and management realignments designed to further establish long-term leadership within the automaker's senior management team. They included the appointment of Chief Financial Officer Don Leclair as an executive vice president of the Company.

Padilla, 58, is succeeding Ford Motor Company President Nick Scheele, who was the subject of a separate announcement today detailing his and Vice Chairman Allan Gilmour's plans to retire on February 1. In April, Padilla had been appointed chief operating officer of the Company and chairman of Ford Automotive Operations, following his successful run as president of the Company's Americas operations.

"Jim is a results-driven individual who attracts and empowers the kind of Ford executives we want leading this company: People who share my commitment to this company's long-term future and to delivering results that will get us there," said Bill Ford, the Company's chairman and chief executive officer. "He's the right man for the job, and the right man to ensure that in this extremely competitive automotive business the Ford Motor Company remains focused on what it needs to do to succeed."

Added Padilla: "This opportunity to serve both as a top officer of the Company and as a member of its Board of Directors comes at a time when Ford is blessed with a wealth of talented men and women who have made a long-term commitment to this company. They're passionate about great products, about building on the basics of our business, and about ensuring that the Ford Motor Company makes a difference in this world."

In addition to becoming an executive vice president, Leclair, 52, will oversee Ford Motor Credit Company and the General Auditors Office, effective January 1, 2004. Reporting to Leclair will be Mike Bannister, 55, group vice president and chief executive officer, Ford Motor Credit Company. Bannister, who currently reports to Vice Chairman Allan Gilmour, will also oversee the Hertz Corporation.

Also assuming duties from Gilmour is Joe Laymon, 52, group vice president, Corporate Human Resources and Labor Affairs. Beginning January 1, Laymon becomes the Company's lead on health care issues and assumes oversight of its Dealer Policy Board.

The Company also announced the following changes in Padilla's reporting relationships, all effective January 1:

* New reports include Richard Parry Jones, 53, group vice president, Global Product Development, and chief technical officer; J Mays, 50, group vice president, Design, and chief creative officer; and Marv Adams, 47, senior vice president and chief information officer. The Company's Automotive Strategy office also will report to Padilla.

* Padilla also adds two matrix reports, as part of his increasing focus on global process deployment matters. Effective immediately, Roman Krygier, 61, group vice president, Global Manufacturing; and Phil Martens, group vice president, Product Creation, will report to Padilla, as well as to Greg Smith, 53, executive vice president, the Americas.

* Louise Goeser, 51, who currently reports to Padilla as vice president, Global Quality, is appointed president and chief executive officer, Ford of Mexico. In her new role, she will report to Anne Stevens, 56, group vice president, Canada, Mexico and South America.

* Deborah Coleman, 51, who is succeeding Goeser as vice president, Global Quality, will report to Padilla. She also is elected an officer of the Company. She presently is group managing director, Ford Motor Company, South Africa.

Padilla's other direct reports will continue to be Mark Fields, 43, executive vice president, Premier Automotive Group and Ford of Europe; Americas EVP Smith; Mark Schulz, 52, executive vice president, Asia-Pacific and Africa; Tony Brown, 48, senior vice president, Global Purchasing; and Sue Cischke, 50, vice president, Environmental and Safety Engineering.

In addition, Felicia J. Fields, 39, is elected an officer of the Company and vice president, Human Resources, effective January 1. She will continue to report to Padilla and Joe Laymon, group vice president, Corporate Human Resources and Labor Affairs. Fields currently is executive director, Human Resources, Automotive Operations and Corporate Staffs.

Other Executive Announcements

The Company also announced the following executive appointments and retirements:

* Paul Mascarenas, 43, is elected an officer of the Company and appointed vice president, Vehicle Programs, North America Product Development, effective January 1. Mascarenas is presently executive director, North America Product Design. In his new role, he will report to Phil Martens, group vice president, Product Creation.

* Martin J. Mulloy, 48, is elected an officer of the Company and appointed vice president, Labor Affairs, effective January 1. He succeeds Dennis Cirbes, 59, who is retiring. In his new role, he will report to Joe Laymon. Mulloy currently is executive director, North American and South American Labor Affairs.

* Lloyd Hansen, 56, will retire as vice president, Revenue Management, effective February 1.