Reply #6: Ford shakes up top team, names product chief

[ozymandius]

DETROIT (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co. announced on Thursday a shake-up of its top management intended to streamline vehicle development efforts and bring Chief Executive Alan Mulally closer to key operations.

In his first major move since taking his position full time in October, Mulally created a post of global product development chief at the struggling No. 2 U.S. automaker and eliminated a layer of management in its international operations.

Derrick Kuzak, 55, who played a key role in the launch of Ford's small Focus sedan, will lead Ford's new global development group, reporting to Mulally.

-cut-

In a series of interviews since taking office, Mulally has criticized Ford's regional operating structure as an impediment that was keeping the company from competing effectively against rivals such as Toyota Motor Corp.

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=businessNews&storyID=2006-12-15T035429Z_01_WEN1188_RTRUKOC_0_US-FORD-REALIGNMENT.xml