Jim Farley Becomes Ford President, CEO October 1st

Jim Farley, 58, has been named the Ford Motor Company’s new president and CEO and will join the board of directors, effective Oct. 1 when Jim Hackett, 65, who has led the company’s transformation since 2017, plans to retire from the company after continuing as a special advisor to Ford through March of 2021.

Farley joined Ford in 2007 as global head of Marketing and Sales and went on to lead Lincoln, Ford South America, Ford of Europe and all Ford global markets in successive roles. In April 2019, Farley was chosen to lead Ford’s New Businesses, Technology & Strategy team. Farley joined Toyota in 1990 in the strategic planning department and served in several product and marketing positions in the United States and Europe. One of Farley’s most noted accomplishments is his responsibility for the successful launch and rollout of Toyota’s new Scion brand. Farley attended Georgetown University and received an MBA from UCLA.

Ford's Farley and Odell Swap Jobs

Jim Farley

Steve Odell

Jim Farley, 52, (left) is appointed executive vice president and president of Europe, Middle East and Africa replacing Stephen Odell, 59, (right) who is taking Farley's position of executive vice president, Global Marketing, Sales and Service, effective Jan. 1, 2015. Both will continue to report to Ford president and CEO Mark Fields.

Farley will be responsible for continuing to lead and accelerate Ford’s transformation in Europe, executing the One Ford plan to achieve profitable growth where losses have been mounting. The focus is on new products and increased cost efficiency. The move is subject to immigration approval. Farley took over Global Marketing, Sales & Service for Ford in 2007 after coming from Toyota where he was group vice president and general manager of Lexus and, prior to that, spent more than 10 years in Marketing, Sales and Service leadership positions at Scion, Toyota and Lexus, in the U.S. and Europe.

Odell will be focused on continuing to build the Ford and Lincoln brands globally through innovative new digital communications and transforming the retail experience for customers. Odell, during his 34-year career at Ford, served as president and CEO of Volvo Car Corporation from 2008 to 2010 and led Marketing, Sales and Service at Ford of Europe and at Mazda Motor Corporation in Japan.