Ford execs Parker, Spender retire

Bryce G. Hoffman / The Detroit News

Ford Motor Co. today announced the retirement of two senior executives: John Parker, executive vice president in charge of Asia Pacific and Africa, and Phil Spender, Ford's representative on Mazda Motor Corp.'s managing board.

Joe Hinrichs, 42, will replace Parker as president of Ford's Asia Pacific and Africa group. Hinrichs is currently in charge of global manufacturing and labor affairs.

John Fleming, 58, will add that role to his current responsibilities as executive vice president, chairman and CEO of Ford of Europe, effective Dec. 1.

Fleming will continue to be based in Cologne, Germany. Hinrichs will be based in Shanghai.

Parker, 62, was hired by Ford South Africa 41 years ago and has held numerous leadership positions within the company's Asia Pacific and Africa region. He also served as senior executive vice president of Mazda. Parker took over as head of Ford's Asia Pacific and Africa group in 2006.

"John's leadership has been instrumental in establishing and expanding our operations in Asia Pacific and Africa," said Ford CEO Alan Mulally. "John and his team are making incredible progress profitably growing Ford's presence in this rapidly expanding region. He clearly is leaving a strong foundation for future growth in Asia and has our deepest gratitude for more than four decades of service and dedication."

Spender, 55, joined Ford New Zealand in 1975 and later moved on to senior manufacturing leadership roles at Ford Australia. He helped operations at Ford India and automotive joint ventures across China, and he played a key role in the transformation of the Ford Mazda joint venture, AutoAlliance International, in Flat Rock.

Since 2008, Spender was promoted to vice president at Ford and named a representative director by Mazda's managing board.

"Phil's contributions to our business and relationships have been invaluable to Ford," Mulally said. "Phil has worked all around the world for Ford and has been instrumental in developing strong growing businesses, most notably in India and China."

bhoffman@detnews.com