Although Ford CEO Alan Mulally just started with the company in 2006 and is contracted through 2011, the Michigan-based automaker is already on the lookout for its next CEO. While Ford’s next leader could still come from outside the company, Joe Laymon — Ford’s head of personnel — released a list of six possible internal candidates at last week’s New York Auto Show.
According to Automotive News, that short list includes Jim Farley — head of Ford marketing, Mark Fields — president of the Americas, Joe Hinrichs — Ford’s CFO, Stephen Odell — Ford of Europe’s COO, Don Leclair and Lewis Booth — head of Ford Europe and the Premier Auto Group.
But Laymon says the next CEO may not necessarily come from that list and that it is actually reviewed annually by the board to see if it needs any changes.
Laymon also revealed that Mulally’s successor would likely be named Ford COO six to twelve months before Mulally left office.
With two European representatives on the short list to replace Mulally, it looks as though Ford might finally have a strong case to bring some of its European vehicles to the U.S. However, Ford could still look outside of the company for its next CEO, just as it hired Mulally from Boeing.
