Paul Thomas, Ford of Europe Marketing VP, Retires After 38-Year Career; Ford of Italy’s Gaetano Thorel Named Successor

COLOGNE, Germany, March 14, 2012 – Paul Thomas, Ford of Europe’s vice president of Marketing, is retiring this month after a 38-year career with the company in which he served in several senior positions.

Thomas, 59, was named vice president of Marketing in 2006, and since then has helped lead Ford’s effort to improve its brand image and increase purchase consideration in Europe.

Prior to this position, he was the managing director of Ford of Britain from 2002 to 2006. Thomas started his career in Ford’s European Marketing department in 1974, and progressed through several sales and marketing management positions in Ford of Britain and Ford of Europe.

“Paul’s unfailing energy, passion and leadership have made a significant difference to the Ford of Europe and Ford’s global Marketing and Sales teams over many years,” said Stephen Odell, chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe. “On behalf of Ford, I want to thank Paul for his tremendous contribution to the business, and I extend to him and his family our congratulations and warmest wishes for the future.”

Gaetano Thorel, 44, currently the chairman and managing director of Ford of Italy, is appointed Ford of Europe’s new vice president of Marketing.

Like Thomas, Thorel will report to Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe. He will be based at Ford of Europe’s headquarters in Cologne, Germany. Thorel will be replaced as managing director in Italy by Domenico Chianese, the present director of Marketing in Ford of Italy.

“Gaetano has gained wide experience in numerous Marketing Sales and Service roles in Ford of Italy and Ford of Europe,” said Roelant de Waard. “We look forward to him bringing all his experience and enthusiasm to Ford’s European Marketing team and in supporting our global brand.”

Both position changes are effective from April 1, 2012.

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Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 164,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 66,000 employees. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford of Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 22 manufacturing facilities, including joint ventures. The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911.