Alex Trotman, 71; Former Chairman of Ford Motor Co.

Former Ford Motor Co. Chairman Alex Trotman, 71, who spearheaded a $5-billion restructuring to restore the automaker to profitability in the 1990s, died Monday after a brief illness in Yorkshire, England, Ford said in a news release.

The company said it did not know the cause of death.

Trotman became chief executive in 1993, two years after Ford posted a then-record loss of $2.3 billion. He directed the 1995 launch of Ford 2000, a restructuring plan that included the consolidation of the Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker’s North American and European operations.

Under Ford 2000, the company cut $5 billion in costs by having more vehicles share major components and by squeezing suppliers for lower prices.

Trotman retired in 1998 after 43 years with Ford in a variety of positions throughout Europe, North America and Asia.

He was succeeded by Jacques Nasser as chief executive and by Bill Ford Jr. as chairman.

Born in Middlesex, England, Trotman served in the Royal Air Force before starting his career at Ford in a student-management trainee position.

He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1996.