Ford Motor Co. Promotes Edsel Ford II

Edsel Ford II, the great-grandson of Ford Motor Co.’s founder, has been named executive director of the auto maker’s marketing staff, effective next month.

Philip E. Benton Jr., president of the Ford Automotive Group, said Ford, general sales manager of the company’s Lincoln-Mercury Division for two years, will succeed Douglas McClure, who retires Nov. 1 after 42 years with the company.

Ford, 40, will direct the company’s worldwide marketing operations and will be responsible for the company’s corporate advertising program and research, long-range planning and strategies covering vehicle distribution.