“Our plan is to make the vehicles people want and value, in China and around the world,” Mulally, 66, said in a Bloomberg Television interview on Sept. 24 in Chongqing, China. Rivals Daimler AG (DAI) and General Motors Co. (GM) have announced plans to add alternative-energy vehicles in China as the country, the world’s largest polluter, seeks to reduce emissions. Ford will also consider introducing its luxury brand Lincoln in China to tap into the growing high-end sedan market, Mulally said.
Ford is spending $1.6 billion to build four factories in China, where it plans to triple its lineup by offering 15 models by mid-decade. China’s demand for luxury cars will grow about 35 percent this year, analysts at J.D. Power forecast. This compares with a 5 percent increase for overall auto sales as predicted by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.
Expansion in Asia is part of Mulally’s wider plan to boost annual global sales by 50 percent to 8 million vehicles by 2015. Ford’s China sales have risen 11 percent this year to 341,746 units, the company said on Sept. 6.
Overall vehicle sales in China reached 18.06 million units last year, boosted by government tax breaks and rural subsidies.
Ford is encountering pricing pressure in China as the auto market there slows, Joe Hinrichs, group vice president and Asia chief, said on Aug. 10. NAME: Alan Roger Mulally.
Vice president and general manager of the 777 program, 1992-1994; senior vice president of airplane development, 1994-1997; senior vice president and president of information, space and defense systems, 1997-1998; president of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, 1998-2005. Mulally is inspired by the slogan, which captures founder Henry Ford's vision: "Opening the Highways to all Mankind."
WHAT'S IN HIS POCKET: His Ford ID badge and a dog-eared copy of the "One Ford" card he had printed for all employees. PROUDEST MOMENT: When Bill Ford asked him to serve as CEO of Ford Motor Co., which he considers "an American and global icon."
If there were doubters when Mulally joined Ford in 2006, there aren't many now. Mulally still faces big challenges. Slow U.S. growth is hindering a comeback in car sales.
Q: Some Ford workers are upset about your compensation. A: My compensation is entirely tied to the success of Ford.
Creating a blog to me then appeared as an essential complement to be able to add addresses, useful links, to speak more fully of my favorites products and obviously able to share my passion!