Mark Fields
Mark Fields
americas best cars challenge continuing ford group known leading level marketing next operations premier producing progress proved recovery seen skills sustained trucks
is known for his marketing expertise, and his skills as a motivator, as he proved in leading the recovery of Mazda and as seen in the continuing progress in our Premier Automotive Group and Ford of Europe. His next challenge is to lead The Americas automotive operations back to a sustained level of profitability, while producing the best cars and trucks in the industry.
arts center cultural diverse goals groups progress promoted realize served
We were making significant progress to realize the goals set some 20 years ago for an arts center that promoted the region's cultural groups and served a diverse community.
agenda asked best bill brand brightest business emotional ford ground group hit innovative jim knows leaders north operation people product running strong team turn wins work
I asked Bill Ford and Jim Padilla for not only the best and the brightest leaders in our company, but for the kind of people who can work as one team on one agenda. That agenda is to turn around our North American operation with a team that knows how to win, an innovative product line-up that wins in the marketplace and a brand that has strong emotional appeal. We now have in place an outstanding group of leaders in The Americas, and they already have hit the ground running to turn the business around.
arms behind both leg starting tied
Things were starting to come together. We did it with both arms and a leg tied behind our backs.
committed early forward journey progress remain remains satisfied strategy targets
The Way Forward is a long-term strategy and journey. But we are very satisfied with early progress and momentum, and we remain committed to all of the targets established in what remains a long-term strategy and journey.
america anne drive expect focused greater increased leader leadership market mexico operations profit proven quality resulted share south toward vehicle
Anne is an exceptionally focused and proven leader in this industry, ... Her leadership of Vehicle Operations resulted in a significant quality improvement. She has also overseen profit resurgence in South America and Mexico and increased market share in Canada. We expect her to drive our operations toward greater coordination, efficiency, productivity and results.
anne focused leader proven
Anne is an exceptionally focused and proven leader in this industry.
advanced cars center console crossover design direction edge engine expect ford fusion glass hot innovation last market roof safety vehicles waves year
Edge underscores the bold, American design direction for all Ford vehicles going forward. Edge also is packed with Ford innovation from its panoramic glass roof and laptop-friendly center console to fuel-saving engine and advanced safety features. We expect Edge to make waves in the hot crossover market this year just like the Fusion did for midsize cars last year.
approach customers dealer earn forward good point products quality represent shave strong thinking value view
Our approach is not thinking how much do we shave dealer margins. Our approach is that as we come up with our products going forward that they have a strong point of view in the marketplace, that they represent good value and good quality to customers so that dealers can earn a good (margin) on them.
add auto gas growth higher interest last prices rates sales selling slower somewhat volatile
Somewhat slower (economic) growth, higher interest rates and volatile gas prices all add up to auto sales that probably won't outshine last year's selling rate in this new year.
hitting lower objective sticking
We are still sticking to our objective of hitting the lower end of the milestone.
build customer efficient products question rather reflect
There's no question that some of our new products reflect what was efficient for us to build rather than what the customer may want.
choose pick
We have to pick and choose where we want to compete. The idea you have to be in all the segments, that's an old way of thinking.
continue incentives path
We can't continue on the same path of incentives our competitors have introduced.