Thursfield Out in Ford Shakeup

In a bid to circulate fresh blood at the Glass House, Ford Motor Co. fine tunes its top management ranks while saying goodbye to its global purchasing chief.

Changes include the naming of Jim Padilla to chief operating officer and chairman-automotive operations, as well as the retirement of David Thursfield as executive vice president and president-International Operations and Global Purchasing.

Padilla, 57, will have responsibility for global purchasing and now takes on the day-to-day responsibilities for the entire company. While Scheele relinquishes the title of COO and oversight of daily operations, he retains his role as company president.

Greg Smith, who leaves his position as chairman and CEO of Ford Motor Credit Co., is named executive vice president and takes over for Padilla as president-Americas.

Mike Bannister leaves his post as president and chief operating officer of Ford Motor Credit Co. to replace Smith. Mark Fields becomes executive vice president in charge of Ford of Europe Inc. and Premier Automotive Group, in addition to his current role as chairman and CEO of PAG.

Lewis Booth, formerly president and COO of Ford of Europe, moves to chairman and CEO of the Cologne, Germany-based unit.