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Former Ford CEO Trotman dies at 71

By Amy Wilson
Automotive News

Alex Trotman, Ford Motor Co.'s first foreign-born chairman and CEO, died Monday in Yorkshire, England, after a brief illness. He was 71.

A 43-year Ford veteran, Trotman led the automaker from November 1993 until his retirement in December 1998. The British CEO ushered in an era of promoting international talent to top positions at Ford Motor. Upon his retirement, Trotman was succeeded as CEO by Australian Jacques Nasser and as chairman by Bill Ford. Bill Ford is now chairman and CEO of Ford.

"Alex was a great friend, colleague and leader of the extended family of Ford employees around the world," Bill Ford said Monday in a prepared statement. "He was the driving force behind a vast array of visionary changes in Ford Motor Co.'s global management and innovative products. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him."

Fresh out of the Royal Air Force, Trotman joined Ford of Britain as a purchasing department trainee in 1955. He held senior product development jobs in both Europe and the United States and developed a reputation as a cost-cutter and can-do manager. Trotman came to the attention of Henry Ford II while working on the Cortina small car project in Europe during the early 1960s.

As CEO, Trotman is best remembered for Ford 2000, an initiative meant to unify Ford Motor's manufacturing, marketing and product development efforts globally. It didn't work out that way, instead resulting in costly chaos and steady reorganizations. Trotman retired a year ahead of schedule.

In 2003, Trotman told Automotive News that he would like to be remembered "as a team player, a dedicated team player remembered for getting the very best out of every single person on the team."

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Stacy94PGT
My first car was a 67 Mustang Coupe, 2nd one was a 67 Cougar XR-7, 3rd one was a 66 Mustang Coupe. Why did I get rid of these cars for ? I know why, because I'm stupid, stupid, stupid.

My next Ford.....