Hiroshima [Fri. 21st March, 2008]
Mazda Motor Corporation and Ford Motor Company jointly announced today that effective April 1, 2008, Robert J. Graziano has been appointed president and CEO, Ford Motor China, and Philip G. Spender has been appointed executive vice president of Mazda and a vice president of Ford Motor Company. Spender was formerly chief operating officer of Ford Motor China.

While Robert Graziano will resign as executive vice president of Mazda effective April 1, 2008, he will remain a representative director of the Board.

Both appointments are effective April 1, 2008 and have been approved by Mazda's Board of Directors.

Hisakazu Imaki, Mazda’s chairman of the Board, president and CEO, said, "We congratulate Bob Graziano on his new appointment. As a leader of Mazda, Graziano-san has played an integral role in a wide range of areas and was instrumental in the development of the Mazda Advancement Plan and in leading Mazda through the first year of that plan. He worked tirelessly to build the Mazda brand around the world, and to continue to drive further efficiencies throughout the organization. We look forward to working with Graziano-san in his new role with Ford China.

"Phil Spender brings to Mazda his experience in a wide range of areas, including his 20 year relationship with Mazda which began in the early 1980s," Imaki continued. “Over the years, Spender-san has cemented and strengthened the close relationship between Ford and Mazda in different operations. This includes his years at Auto Alliance International, a joint venture between Ford and Mazda in North America, as well as presiding over Mazda’s investment in Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co. Ltd. where he was president of the company. We welcome him as a strong addition to our team, and look forward to working closely with him.”

John G. Parker, executive vice president, Ford Motor Company, said, "Bob has been instrumental in delivering continued growth and profits at Mazda. His personal commitment and hands on leadership style greatly assisted our efforts to improve Mazda’s brand value and enhanced business efficiency."

Since he began his career with Ford in 1982, Graziano has held positions in sales & marketing, finance, product and brand strategy, as well as in general management, running Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa and most recently at Mazda.

“With this appointment, we will leverage Bob’s experience to continue to grow our business in China and generate greater synergies among our partners,” Parker added.

With over 30 years of experience, Spender joined Ford in 1975 and has held various positions in manufacturing and engineering in both Ford New Zealand and Ford of Australia. He served as president of Ford of India for nearly three years before being appointed as president and CEO of Auto Alliance International in 2001.

He was appointed president and CEO of Changan Ford, China, in 2005 and was instrumental in transitioning the business to Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Company. He most recently served as COO of Ford Motor China.

Source : www.mazda.com