AutoAlliance International

Philip G. Spender, formerly Managing Director of Ford India Limited has been named president, chief executive officer and chief operating officer for AutoAlliance International, Inc. (AAI, Flat Rock, Mich, USA), the joint manufacturing venture owned by Mazda Motor Corporation and Ford Motor Company.

AutoAlliance International, Inc. (AAI)

Spender will replace current President, CEO and COO Deborah Stewart Coleman, effective September 1, 2001. He has been with Ford Motor Company for more than 24 years and has a rich experience gained through various cross-functional assignments in the company. He has an engineering background and contributed to the development of global manufacturing practices for Ford. He also has been involved in the planning and development of many new car launches.

"We are excited to welcome Mr. Spender as our new president. He brings many years of experience in automotive manufacturing, and I hope he will be an astute manager," said Takashi Yamanouchi, AAI chairman of the board, and senior managing director, Mazda Motor Corporation.

Coleman, who had previously served as Ford's Quality Director of Vehicle Operations, and has been at the current position since September 1999, will be assigned as Group Managing Director and CEO of the Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa effective September 2001. "We're grateful to Ms. Coleman for her outstanding leadership and service at AAI," said Yamanouchi, "I hope her best wishes for her upcoming career."

The AutoAlliance plant in Flat Rock, Michigan, started production in 1987 and achieved the 2 millionth production in June 1999. It produces the Mazda 626 and the Mercury Cougar. The company employs approximately 1,800 people, and has an annual total capacity of 240,000 units (at straight production).