New MD at Ford Malaysia
Ford Malaysia today announced key appointments in its senior management team with Michael J. Pease taking the position of Managing Director for Ford Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. and local partner Sime Darby’s Alex Chang appointed Director – Motor Group (Ford Operations).
The appointment of these two senior executives underscores the strength of the Ford Motor Company – Sime Darby partnership that dates back to the signing of the joint-venture in 1981 which saw increased Ford equity in 2000. Ford Malaysia’s long-term roadmap is for accelerated growth and transformation, with key areas for development focussing on strengthening Ford’s product portfolio, improving its dealer network and customer satisfaction.
“My previous role as regional marketing director for Asia-Pacific has allowed me to gain a fair amount of knowledge about the Malaysian market place, and the benefit of having worked with the current Ford team in place,” said Mr Pease, adding that he was excited with the opportunity to return to the operational side of the business. “To be in Malaysia is the best way for it to happen,” he added.
“I also believe that Ford and Sime Darby have fostered a solid partnership based on a win-win approach and common set of goals. I shall look forward to working with Alex Chang and the team here,” Mr Pease said.
Both these executives have a wealth of experience in the motor business. Mr Chang, for instance, has been with the Sime Darby Group for 28 years and has been involved in sales, marketing and after-sales service activities in that time. He has worked in various senior managerial positions in both the heavy equipment and motor group divisions within Tractors Malaysia.
Like Ford Malaysia’s first MD, Richard Canny, Mr Pease is also an Australian and has been with Ford Motor Company since 1978 when he joined Ford Australia as a Graduate Trainee. After holding a variety of positions in sales and marketing in Australia, his first international role was National Manager for Indonesia and Thailand in 1992. Since then, Mr Pease has worked primarily in the ASEAN region, culminating in his most recent stint as Ford Asia-Pacific Regional Marketing Director, based in Bangkok, where he was responsible for regional marketing programs, developing marketing competencies and promoting business synergies amongst twelve diverse markets in Asia-Pacific, including Malaysia.
He successfully championed the ASEAN launch campaign for the Ford Escape and the Ford Everest that is due for its Malaysian introduction this month. In the Thailand operations between 1998 and 2002, he was responsible for the successful launch of the Ford Ranger and the development of the Thai distribution network. Under his stewardship, the Ford Ranger was recognized as one of the leaders in the market and was awarded the J.D. Power ‘Best Pickup’ Award in Quality for two consecutive years in 2000 and 2001.
Mr Pease takes over from Deborah Aronson, who has left Ford Motor Company to pursue her passion for social work with a non-government humanitarian organization in Vietnam.
