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Robert J Graziano named Executive Vice President of Mazda Motor Corporation


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- John Parker appointed group vice president, Asia Pacific & Africa for Ford Motor Company.
Continues as representative director and vice chairman of the Mazda Board.

- Robert J Graziano named executive vice president of Mazda

Hiroshima, Japan--Mazda Motor Corporation and Ford Motor Company jointly announced today that John Parker has been appointed group vice president, Asia Pacific & Africa for Ford Motor Company, based in Bangkok, Thailand and Robert J. Graziano has been appointed executive vice president of Mazda and a vice president of Ford Motor Company.

John Parker will resign as executive vice president of Mazda but will continue as a member of the Board of Directors as representative director and vice chairman of the Board. Graziano was formerly president and chief executive officer of Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa, a position he assumed on December 1, 2004.

Both appointments are effective September 1, 2006 and have been approved by the Mazda Board of Directors. Graziano’s replacement will be the subject of a future announcement.

Hisakazu Imaki, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO, said, “We congratulate John Parker on his new appointment. As a leader of Mazda, Parker-san has played an integral role in a wide range of areas and was instrumental in the implementation of Mazda Momentum, our mid-term plan. He continues to be a representative director of Mazda and vice chairman of the Board. I am confident he will continue to play a valuable part in Mazda’s on going progress, further strengthening the strong relationship that has developed between Ford and Mazda over the years.”

“Bob Graziano brings to Mazda his experience in a wide range of areas, including that of developing markets. This is pertinent as we seek to grow our business in Asia and beyond. Graziano-san will play a key role in driving Mazda towards a solid and sustainable future.”

Mark Schulz, executive vice president, Ford Motor Company, said, "John has a vast international automotive background and is one of our most experienced leaders.
Since he began his career with Ford he has served in a number of roles throughout Asia Pacific. He has the leadership skills to drive implementation of our growth plans.

“With this appointment, we are strengthening and consolidating responsibility for all of our operations and partnerships in Asia with a single executive located in the region,” he added.

Robert J. Graziano joined Ford in 1982 and, after having working in various positions, he was appointed general marketing manager, Ford Brazil in 1998. He held the position for seven months until elected strategic marketing director, Ford South America. He returned to the United States in 2000 as brand manager for Ford cars. In 2002, he was named director, Product Marketing, Ford North America, a position he held until being named director, Product Strategy and Planning in May 2003. He was appointed president and chief executive officer of Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa on December 1, 2004.



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