NEWS

GEOFF POLITES, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, JAGUAR LAND ROVER, DIES

DEARBORN, Mich., April 20, 2008 – Geoff Polites, chief executive officer of Jaguar Land Rover, has died peacefully in his home country of Australia.  He was 60.

Mr. Polites, who is credited with leading the team that returned the Jaguar Land Rover business back to profitability and successfully steering it through its ongoing sale process to Tata Motors, had been battling serious illness for the past two years.

“Geoff’s untimely passing robs his family and friends of a man who was a real inspiration to us all,” said Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer, Ford Motor Company.  “His drive and determination, combined with his clear sense of vision for the business, played a huge role in turning round the business at Jaguar Land Rover and returning it to profitability.  Geoff ensured that Jaguar Land Rover was not distracted and continued to focus on the fundamentals of the business during the recent sale process, despite at the time also fighting his own personal health battle.

“He was a trusted colleague and someone who was much respected not just by his peers but by all who had the privilege to work with him.  Our sympathies are with his wife and family at this difficult time,” said Mulally.

Lewis Booth, executive vice president responsible for Ford Motor Company’s businesses in Europe, said: “For many of us at Ford and Jaguar Land Rover, we’ve lost not just a respected colleague but a great friend.

“Geoff was always someone to look up to throughout his almost 40-year career in the automotive industry.  His passion for the car business was legend, but the resolve he showed since taking over as CEO of Jaguar Land Rover in 2005 was something very special. 

“His leadership of the team that has put the Jaguar Land Rover business back into profitability has been exceptional.  Geoff has given Jaguar Land Rover the solid foundation and established the strong management team it needs for a successful future.  We will miss our friend very much.” 

David Smith, Jaguar Land Rover’s chief financial officer, will take over as the acting chief executive officer at Jaguar Land Rover until a successor is appointed.

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BIOGRAPHY                                                             

GEOFF POLITES
Chief Executive Officer, Jaguar and Land Rover

Geoff Polites was appointed CEO of Jaguar and Land Rover, effective September 1st 2005.

Previously he had been Vice President, Marketing, Sales & Service, Ford of Europe. Prior to his current position Mr. Polites was Vice President European Sales Staff, Ford of Europe. From 1999 to March 2004 he was President of Ford Australia and has been closely associated with Ford, as an employee and as a dealer, for more than 30 years.

Mr. Polites joined Ford Australia in 1970 as a Product Planner and completed training in both the United States and Europe, before rejoining Ford Australia in 1975 as Marketing Plans and Research Manager.

Following subsequent positions as Southern Region Country Sales Manager, Merchandising Manager and Eastern Regional Manager, he returned to Melbourne in 1985 as General Sales Manager, Ford Australia and held this position until July 1988 when he resigned from Ford to become Dealer Principal of the City Ford Dealership in central Sydney.

As a Ford dealer, Geoff Polites was named Ford Australia's Dealer of the Year on three occasions, and also won the coveted Ford President's Award three times. He also served on the Ford National Dealer Council for five years, and was the Council Chairman in 1998. In early 1999 he sold his interests in City Ford and rejoined Ford Australia as its President.

Born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1948 Geoff Polites has a First Class Honours Degree in Economics from Monash University in Melbourne.

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