COLOGNE, July 10, 2009 – Ingvar Sviggum, Ford of Europe's Norwegian-born Vice President of Marketing, Sales and Service, has been named as one of Automotive News Europe's auto industry 2009 Eurostars.
Mr. Sviggum and nine other European auto industry leaders were chosen by the editors of Automotive News Europe for standing out in a difficult year for the industry "because they have succeeded while their competitors stumbled. This year's winners have earned their awards by taking risks and refusing to fail."
"I'm delighted to receive the prestigious honour of being named as one of Automotive News Europe's 2009 Eurostars," said Mr. Sviggum. "This award is also a testament to the outstanding products designed, engineered and built by my Ford of Europe colleagues in our product development and manufacturing teams, and to the dynamism and determination of the Marketing, Sales and Service team and Ford's extensive dealership network in Europe. It is their great support, professionalism and customer focus that has helped to drive up our European market share despite the continuing difficult economic situation."
In honouring Mr. Sviggum, Automotive News Europe stated that: "In a terrible year for auto sales, Ingvar Sviggum, Ford's head of European sales and marketing, has withstood the tide."
"The cool headed Scandinavian used his vast knowledge of the European market to help the US automaker improve its market share in Europe and successfully launch two key models, the Fiesta and Ka, amid a severe economic downturn."
Mr. Sviggum and the nine other European auto industry 2009 Eurostars will be honoured at an Automotive News Europe awards dinner on September 14 in Frankfurt.
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Editors' notes
Ingvar Sviggum was appointed Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Service for Ford of Europe on April 1, 2008. Prior to that, Mr. Sviggum was Vice President, European Sales Operations for Ford of Europe, a position he held since July 1999. He also is a Ford Motor Company Vice President.
Mr. Sviggum joined Ford Norway in 1963 as trainee, and throughout his career with Ford has worked closely with the various National Sales Companies across Europe. From April 1985 until February 1987 he was Managing Director, Ford Norway. Until 1989, he served as Managing Director and Vice Chairman, Ford of Spain. Mr. Sviggum joined the Ford of Europe central senior management team in July 1989 as Director, Marketing Plans and Programs. In January 1998, he became Executive Director, European Sales Operations for Ford of Europe. From August 1996 until December 1997 he served as Vice Chairman, Ford-Werke AG.
Born in 1945 in Hafslo, Norway Sviggum holds Economics and Management degrees from University and Business School in Oslo and Bergen. He is married with two children.
