Ford Names New U.S. Marketing Chief

Ford Motor Co. names auto industry veteran Ken Czubay vice president-U.S. sales and marketing.

Czubay, 59, joins Ford July 16 and will oversee the day-to-day sales and marketing for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles in the U.S. He will report to Jim Farley, group vice president-marketing and communications.

Czubay has 38 years of automotive experience and served in various management and executive roles at Ford from 1970 to 1983.

He worked in sales and marketing at Nissan North America Inc. until 1987, when he took a position with the Suburban Collection, a group of auto dealerships based in Troy, MI.

In 1990, Czubay joined Deerfield, FL-based Southeast Toyota Distributors, where he served as president until accepting his new position at Ford.

“I can tell you that he’s one of the top sales executives in the auto industry, with a long track record of success,” Farley says in a statement. “Ken knows Ford, he knows the auto industry and has a deep understanding of dealers and all facets of the retailing side of the business.”

Ford says Czubay’s appointment will allow Farley to work more closely with Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president-global product development, to accelerate the auto maker’s global product strategy.

Additionally, Farley will concentrate on enhancing and clarifying the Blue Oval’s brand image across all markets and oversee the marketing and communication for upcoming vehicles, Ford says.

“I am joining Ford for the chance to work with a group of committed, energized colleagues who are really embracing the challenge of restoring a great American icon,” Czubay says. “Once you have been at Ford, it’s always in your blood. I couldn’t be more excited to be coming home.”

Meanwhile, Ford names John Felice general marketing manager-Ford, Lincoln and Mercury. Felice had been general marketing manager for Ford and now adds the Lincoln and Mercury brands to his duties.

Additionally, David Thomas is appointed to an expanded role of director-North American order management and sales planning.