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November 14, 2002
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This Week:

• Ford MA Concept Unveiled At J Mays Museum Exhibit Opening

• 10th Anniversary for the BMW Group in Spartanburg 

• Toyota Announces Plan To Coordinate The Development Of California Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Vehicle "Community"

• World Premiere For The New Lacetti At The 2002 Seoul Motor Show

• Ford Names Padilla, Thursfield Executive Vice Presidents

• Daimler Hyundai Truck Corporation Achieves Important Milestone

• Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover Adds A Fourth Regional Office In Chicago

• MINI voted best Import Car 2002-2003 in Japan

• General Motors Powertrain Saginaw Metal Casting Operations Awarded Precision Sand Project

• Valeo's Bending Light system provides superior levels of comfort to Porsche Cayenne drivers

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Ford Names Padilla, Thursfield Executive Vice Presidents

DEARBORN, Mich. - Ford Motor Company announced its Board of Directors elected James Padilla and David Thursfield executive vice presidents of the company, effective immediately.

"By elevating the leaders of the company's two automotive units, we're further sharpening the focus on our core business," said Bill Ford, chairman and chief executive officer. "This recognizes the significant contributions by Jim and David over the past year. Both are committed to accelerating our revitalization efforts in all areas of the business, including quality, efficiency and the development of great vehicles."

All reporting relationships in North America remain unchanged. Padilla continues to lead all operations involved in the development, manufacturing, marketing and sales of Ford, Mercury and Lincoln vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Specifically, that includes Manufacturing and Quality, Business Operations, Marketing, Sales and Service, Product Development, Vehicle Operations, Powertrain Operations and Advanced Manufacturing Engineering.

"Bringing together Mazda and our global premium brands with the rest of our international group makes sense for the business and for our customers," said Bill Ford. "David will work with Mark Fields and Lewis Booth to maximize synergies and realize efficiencies in our international businesses."

Padilla joined Ford in 1966 as a quality control engineer. He has held a series of management positions of increasing responsibility in product engineering and manufacturing. From 1992 to 1994, he was director of Engineering and Manufacturing at Jaguar Cars Ltd., during Jaguar's critical turnaround period. He has also served as president of Ford's South American Operations and group vice president, Global Manufacturing. He most recently was group vice president, North America.

Thursfield came to Ford in 1979 as plant manager of the Broadmeadows Car Assembly plant in Australia. He progressed through other manufacturing positions in Australia and Europe, including director of Body and Assembly Operations, Ford of Europe. In 1996, he moved to the United States and two years later became vice president, Vehicle Operations. He returned to Europe in 2000 as president and in 2001 was named president and chief executive officer, Ford of Europe. He most recently was group vice president, International Operations and Global Purchasing.

(Nov. 14, 2002)