Ford NZ managing director Corey Holter is heading back to the United States and a new role as a marketing manager for Ford North America.
Taking his place at the helm in NZ is Simon Rutherford, an Englishman who is married to a NZ woman whose parents live in Whangarei.
Ford Australia and NZ president and CEO Graeme Whickman said Holter had been a terrific leader for Ford in so many roles. “This is especially true in New Zealand where he has helped us completely transform our line-up and becoming the truck leader with Ranger in one of the industry’s most important, highly competitive segments.”
Holter was based in Ford’s Shanghai office as the Asia Pacific strategy director before heading the company’s NZ office. He joined Ford in the US in 1996 after attaining an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.Sc from Georgetown University.
“Leading the team in New Zealand through such an important period has been very rewarding,” said Holter. “We continue building a stronger business on the strength of great new vehicles such as the Ranger while working with our dealers to create more value for our customers.”
Rutherford, 45, is currently heading a global initiatives division at Ford headquarters in the US. Said Whickman: “He will bring great experience to help our team and dealers better leverage our strongest global lineup ever along with our transformed distribution network to serve our customers even better.”