Ford Reorganizes Management Ranks

Ford Motor Co. announced a wide-ranging management shuffle Friday aimed at giving more power to lower-level executives and making the world’s second-largest auto maker more nimble and responsive to customers. The moves announced by Ford Chief Executive Jac Nasser give new titles to 14 vice presidents, whose responsibilities will be reorganized along brand and regional lines effective Jan. 1. Ford also named Henry D.G. Wallace, head of the auto maker’s Asia Pacific operations, as its new chief financial officer. The Ford name will be handled by units in North America, Europe, Asia and South America. The Mercury division was moved into the company’s Premier Automotive Group, which manages its luxury brands--Lincoln, Jaguar, Volvo and Aston Martin--around the world. Mazda, which is 33% owned by Ford, and parts maker Visteon Automotive Systems will operate separately. The company will also have four business groups dealing with consumer services, including one aimed at Internet commerce. Ford closed down $2.50 at $50.56 on the New York Stock Exchange.