Elena Ford will head dealer-standards unit
 | Elena Ford: Will work to improve store standards |
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DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. has named Elena Ford, the great-great-granddaughter of founder Henry Ford, to head a new organization called the Global Dealer and Consumer Experience, effective March 1.
Ford was named vice president and leader of the new organization, which will work to improve standards at Ford dealerships around the world. She will report to Jim Farley, executive vice president of global marketing, sales, service and Lincoln.
"Elena Ford is the perfect leader to work with our global dealers and to help realize the opportunity we have in upgrading the consumer experience there," Farley said in a statement.
For the last four years, Elena Ford, 46, has been director of Ford's global marketing operations, reporting to Farley.
Her appointment marks the first time a member of the Ford family has been named a corporate officer since Bill Ford was named vice president of Ford's commercial truck division in 1994. He is now executive chairman.
The automaker is working to improve the customer experience at U.S. Ford and Lincoln dealerships and is rapidly expanding its dealer network in China. The Lincoln brand will go on sale in China next year.
The company also promoted Ray Day, 46, to group vice president of communications, from vice president of communications.
You can reach Bradford Wernle at bwernle@crain.com.
