As vice chairman, Smith directs central corporate staffs, including Human Resources and Labor Affairs, Corporate Strategy, Information Technology and Automotive Strategy. He also is responsible for guiding the Company's strategy development, taking a long-term view of key decisions the Company faces and defining the future strategic position of its financial services and automotive businesses.
"Greg has contributed tremendously to Ford Motor Company in many areas, including leading the turnaround at Ford Motor Credit," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bill Ford. "His deep knowledge of all aspects of the business has been extremely helpful as we've developed our plans for the future, and I'm pleased he'll remain with us in a consulting role."
Smith joined Ford in 1973 as an engineer with Truck Operations. He subsequently held a number of engineering and product planning positions until 1985 when he moved to Ford Division -- first as Truck and Powertrain Marketing Plans manager, then as manager of Car Marketing Plans, and finally, as regional marketing manager for the Central Region. Smith then moved from Ford Division to Lincoln Mercury Division to become the Dallas district operations manager.
"Greg has been a true friend to the dealer body going all the way back to his days in Texas," said Sam Pack, president, Pack Automotive Group. "We will miss his warmth, candor and support."
In 1990, when Smith returned from Dallas, he was named director, Strategy and Advanced Planning for Car Product Development. In 1993, Smith's leadership in the Company's financial services arm began when he was appointed executive director, Strategic Planning and External Affairs for the Ford Financial Services Group. He later became President and COO of Ford Motor Credit and then Chairman and CEO of Ford Motor Credit. In 2004, Smith became a Company executive vice president and president of The Americas, a position he held until being elected vice chairman.
"Greg's respect for his fellow employees and his leadership behaviors are well known and highly regarded throughout the Company," said Jim Padilla, Ford Motor Company president and chief operating officer. "We appreciate his many contributions and will greatly miss his knowledge and insight."
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 300,000 employees and 108 manufacturing facilities worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related service includes Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit http://www.fordvehicles.com .
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