Ford Motor Co. , in a shake-up of its senior executives, on Thursday named Jim Padilla as chief operating officer, taking the title from Nick Scheele, who will continue as president.
David Thursfield, president of Ford's international operations and global purchasing, will retire effective May 1. Thursfield will become a consultant to Ford Chairman Bill Ford Jr. and the company, Ford said.
Padilla, most recently president of the Americas region, will also become chairman of Ford's automotive operations.
Ford named Mark Fields as executive vice president, Ford of Europe and the luxury vehicle brands known as the premier automotive group. Fields had been chairman and chief executive of the premier automotive group.
Lewis Booth will become chairman and chief executive officer of Ford of Europe, and will report to Fields.
Ford named Greg Smith as executive vice president and president of the Americas region.
