Ford Names J Mays Group Vice President of Design

* Elevating the leadership of the Design organization underscores the importance Ford places on vehicle design. * J Mays has been an outstanding contributor to the business.

DEARBORN, Mich., July 10 -- Ford Motor Company today named J Mays group vice president, Design, effective Aug. 1.

Mays, 48, will report to Nick Scheele, chief operating officer. His responsibilities will include leading the design of the more than 65 new Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products that will launch within the next five years. He also has design responsibilities for the 45 new products being launched in Ford of Europe, 35 new products coming from the Premier Automotive Group and 15 new products coming from Mazda.

He had been a vice president reporting to Richard Parry-Jones, group vice president, Product Development and chief technical officer.

"J Mays' design cues have made our vehicles distinctive and desirable to customers," said Bill Ford, chairman and chief executive officer. "By elevating his position to the level of group vice president, we are emphasizing the importance of product design on our revitalization."

"Our revitalization is all about product," said J Mays. "I am excited by the opportunity to take great vehicle design to the forefront of this company."

Mays joined Ford on Oct. 1, 1997, as vice president, Design. During that time, he has overseen the development of the 2004 Ford F-150, Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans as well as the 2005 Ford Freestyle, Ford Five Hundred sedan, GT and Mustang.

Mays has also led the development of significant concept vehicles including the Ford Forty-Nine and '427' sedans, Mustang GT concepts, Jaguar F- Type and Volvo Safety Car Concept.

Prior to joining Ford, Mays held various leadership positions in design at Audi AG, BMW AG and Volkswagen of America.

The recipient of numerous professional awards and recognition, Mays is a graduate of the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Calif. His design career was the subject of an exhibition called "Retrofuturism: The Car Design of J Mays" at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles in November 2002.