David Schoch becomes group vice president of Asia Pacific, while John Lawler becomes CEO of Ford Motor China.
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If Geely, China's largest and brashest privately owned carmaker, succeeds in acquiring such a respected brand it would be a testament to the extraordinary ambition of its chairman and founder, Li Shufu, the self-styled Henry Ford of China.
In China Ford recently reported September sales growth of 6% year-over-year in Ford-branded passenger cars led by Ford Mondeo.
During an investor conference presentation last week, Joe Hinrichs, Ford president for Asia Pacific and Africa, laid out the case for Ford growth in China.
In China, Ford and its partners will have 960 dealers by 2015, up from 242 in 2009.
Investing in product development around the world, including China, Ford faced higher commodity and structural costs, while it saw sales increase and it paid off its debt.
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Expansion in China, where Ford is way behind other automakers, is clearly on Bill Ford's agenda.
And the hottest strategic trend in automaking--led by Ford Motor, Nissan and China--is making lighter, safer and more fuel-efficient cars.
In China too, Ford is developing a low cost model in its Hangzhou plant in Eastern part of the country which is due to begin production from 2015.
"SUVs are a strength for Ford globally and here in China, the SUV segment is one of the fastest growing segments in the industry, " said Joe Hinrichs, president of Ford's Asia Pacific and Africa region.
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For a variety of reasons, Ford got off to a slow start in China.
Ford now sells more cars than Toyota in China and its sales could top 1 million in 2013.
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Ford needs to become a major player in China, for sure, but the billions it is spending now will limit near-term corporate profits.
Ford Motor just increased its car sales in China by 40% the market with the greatest future for many years if not decades to come.
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Ford plans to introduce 15 new models in China by 2015, and is building five new manufacturing facilities and bringing its Lincoln luxury brand there in 2014.
And Ford is spending like a drunken sailor in China to try to catch up with rivals including GM, Volkswagen and Hyundai, which have a big market share lead there.
Ford plans to launch 15 new vehicles in China by 2015, focusing on fuel-efficiency, safety and smart technology to help drive its sales and increase market share in the international markets.
In terms of manufacturing capability, Ford plans to create three regional hubs in China, to introduce 15 new vehicles by mid-decade, and to fill niches where it does not currently compete.
Ford has similar labs at its Dearborn home, as well as in Germany and China, but the intent isn't to replace or duplicate work done there, Ford said.
Ultimately, all foreign manufacturers in China face the same dilemma as Henry Ford at the turn of the century last century.
Ford, like other international truck companies eying the China market, believe that, by introducing their advanced technology and know-how, they can ultimately prevail over their local rivals.
While GM is outpacing Ford in overseas competition, GM cannot solely depend on China for growth.
Exporting jobs to low-wage countries like Mexico and China is an old game at GM and Ford, through their now-independent partsmakers Delphi and Visteon.
Ford (F) is a much smaller player in China, but the brand recorded sales of 70.510 units in December, up 43 percent from a year ago.
Ford is right to try and gain a share of the China luxury car segment.
Ford said on Monday that it set an annual record in China in 2012, selling more than 626, 000 vehicles wholesale.
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This makes China one of the most important growth markets for Ford, and the company is investing heavily to realize its potential in the country.
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