Ford's US sales and marketing chief to retire

Ford Motor Co.'s marketing and sales chief in the U.S. is retiring as of Nov. 1.

Ken Czubay, 64, will be replaced by John Felice, who will be vice president of U.S. marketing, sales and service.

The company also named Barb Samardzich as chief operating officer at Ford of Europe.

Czubay will retire after a 43-year career in the automotive business. He started at Ford in 1970, but left the company in 1983 to work at Nissan Motor Co. and Southeast Toyota Distributors. He returned to Ford in 2008 to head U.S. marketing and sales, as well as dealer and service operations, Ford said in a statement Friday.

Felice, 51, now is general sales manager for the Ford and Lincoln brands. He's been with the company almost 30 years in a variety of senior marketing and sales posts in the U.S. and Asia. He served as president of Ford's Thailand operations.

In Europe, Samardzich, 54, will head product development, manufacturing, quality, purchasing and environment and safety engineering. She currently is vice president of product development for Ford of Europe.

Joe Bakaj, 51, will replace Samardzich as head of European product development. He had been vice president of powertrain engineering. He'll be replaced in that post by Bob Fascetti, who was director of global engine engineering.

Ford shares were steady at $17.39 in midday trading.