Stories from the world of motors
FORD'S PURGE: Ford has moved to end management infighting with a shake-up of its senior leadership team last week.
Bill Ford, chairman and chief executive, removed one of the most aggressive cost-cutters, Englishman David Thursfield, while a series of promotions brought several possible future chief executives into the top ranks.Chief operating officer Sir Nick Scheele has been moved, while Thursfield will take early retirement.Three possible future chief executive candidates were promoted to executive vice-president level. Mark Fields (43) (below), adds Europe to his overview of the luxury brands; Greg Smith (52) moves from the finance arm to take over the north American business; Mark Schultz (51) remains running the Asian operation.
FIAT STOPPAGE WARNING: Fiat's car production in Italy is threatened by a labour dispute which has shut down almost all the firm's plants, Fiat boss Giuseppe Morchio said in a letter to staff on Monday. "No one can pretend to ignore that what is at stake here is the future of the Italian automobile industry, of the people who work in an important part of the economic recovery of our country," he wrote.
LIMERICK ON SHOW: Limerick will have its first Motor Show next month, at the University of Limerick Arena from May 7th-9th. Organisers claim about 20 different marques are exhibiting, including Kia which will launch two new cars at the Motor Show. An estimated 100 new vehicles will be on display.
FIRST FOR LEXUS: Tomorrow the first dedicated Lexus Centre in Ireland will be opened at Kearys, at the Kinsale Road roundabout in Cork city.
It is the first of nine Lexus centres that are opening at dealerships across the State: the next is at Carroll and Kinsella on Dublin's Rock Road in three weeks time. According to Stephen Jackson of Lexus Ireland, the new centres "will redefine the way cars are sold".
FAST FOOD: Racing fanatic Lord Inchiquin of Dromoland Castle fame has got sponsorship for Team O'Briens from O'Briens Irish Sandwich Bar.
MAYBACH CORRECTION: In last week's edition we made reference to Maybach sales. Due to a typographical error what read 80 sales out of 1,000 cars produced should have been 800.