Ford Jr takes helm at Ford

William Clay Ford Jr has replaced Jacques Nasser as chief executive officer of the Ford Motor Company.

The automobile giant has confirmed Mr Nasser is to leave the company as part of a management shake-up.

The move returns the top job to a Ford family member for the first time since Henry Ford II resigned in 1979.

At a news conference, the new CEO also confirmed the appointment of Nick Scheele, currently group vice president for North America as chief operating officer.

Jim Padilla, currently group vice president for North America, is the new head of North America.

Carl Reichardt, a board member and former chief executive of Wells Fargo & Co, has been appointed vice chairman.

William Ford Jr, 44, started taking more operational control of the company in July, when the board created the Office of the Chairman and CEO. He and Mr Nasser met regularly to review company operations.

Mr Ford worked for the car maker for several years until he resigned in 1995 to assume the chairmanship of the board of directors' finance committee. He became board chairman in January 1999 when Alex Trotman retired as chairman and CEO, while Mr Nasser was named president and CEO.

Mr Ford is the son of William Clay Ford Sr, who is a grandson of company founder Henry Ford and brother of former chairman and CEO the late Henry Ford II.