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http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-new...027-173ii.html

New boss for Ford Australia
Toby Hagon
October 27, 2010 - 5:08PM

Ford Australia president is heading to China while incoming boss comes from what is now the world’s largest car market.

Ford Australia president Marin Burela has been seconded to China to head up the Changan Ford Mazda Automobile operations as part of a restructure of the brand’s operations in what is now the world’s largest car market.

He will be replaced on November 1 by former Ford China boss Robert Graziano, who is currently the chairman and CEO of Ford of China.

"I could not have picked a better successor to take over the journey we've started here over the last few years," he said, referring to an imminent influx of new models, various developments in local engineering and manufacturing, and the return of profitability.

Burela hinted his experience in Australia would remain with him with his latest move, although .

"You'll never have a bigger supporter in China and [Asia Pacific and Africa] than the person you're talking to," he said without going into details. "One thing you learn about our business ... you never say never to anything and you never know."

Burela has only been at the Ford Australia helm since September 2008, replacing the shortlived Bill Osborne and raising questions about the stability of management at the car maker.

Burela is adamant the strong global management of Ford - headed by former Boeing boss Alan Mulally - will cement the future of the Australian operations, now involved in developing a small car for China on the back of designing and engineering a ute for more than 180 markets.

Geelong-born Burela has helped bolster the brand’s local manufacturing future, confirming extended production of the ageing six-cylinder engine and various fuel saving technologies, such as an imminent four-cylinder engine for the Falcon and much needed turbo-diesel for the Territory SUV.

He also announced the Focus small car would be produced locally, before reversing the decision to focus on existing products.

Burela has also been working intensively within the new “One Ford” world, which is building cars for the global markets instead of individual markets.

He was involved in the production of the first truly global Ford, the Fiesta, which incoming Ford Australia president also had input in as vehicle line director of Ford’s small cars.

Burela has also been building a case for Ford Australia’s ongoing manufacturing future within a changing automotive landscape.

There has been much speculation about the long term future of the locally produced Falcon, which is designed, built and produced in Australia almost exclusively for Australians.

Ford’s global president Alan Mulally recently hinted the Falcon could continue as a rear-drive large car that would share components with other Fords to be sold in markets around the world.

More recently, visiting Asia-Pacific and Africa boss Joe Hinrichs – who is now the new boss of Ford China - said he was “committed” to the future of the Falcon.

“Bob [Graziano] and Marin [Burela] are excellent leaders who have unique skill-sets well-suited for the future requirements in Australia and at our joint venture in China,” said Hinrichs, saying there were aggressive growth plans for Ford in the region, with 70 per cent of the company’s growth expected from there in the next decade.

“We are proud to foster a culture of continuous improvement that provides opportunities for new and interesting challenges to help our managers grow and develop at every level.”

Burela says 2011 will be "an incredibly busy year for Ford Australia".

"85 per cent of our entire showroom will be new or updated for 2011. You’re going to start to see a very different and changing perspective … more product coming in from different parts of the world. You’re going to start to see some exciting things going on."

Largely due to the massive growth in vehicle sales in China, Ford’s regional sales are expected to grow from 16 million in 2009 to 35 million in 2018.

Burela has only one regret about leaving Australia: "I won't be able to watch the [Geelong] Cats win the next grand final," he said.