Silverstone Appointed Chief Operating Officer of Ford Motor Credit Company

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ford Motor Company and Ford Motor Credit Company today announced that Bernard Silverstone has been appointed chief operating officer, Ford Motor Credit Company, and has been elected a Ford corporate officer, effective Jan. 1, 2012. Currently, Silverstone is president of Marketing and Sales for Ford Credit.

In the newly created position, Silverstone, 56, will lead Ford Credit's operations in its four global regions, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa, and Latin America. He'll also lead marketing, sales and brand, business center operations, quality and process management, and insurance operations. He will continue to report to Mike Bannister, Ford executive vice president and Ford Credit chairman and CEO.

"Bernard's global operating experience and deep knowledge of the financing business will serve us well as Ford Credit grows its business to support Ford's growth plans," said Bannister. "He'll sharpen our focus on further aligning our operations globally, and provide strong leadership as we continue to profitably support Ford, its dealers and customers."

Currently, Silverstone is responsible for Ford Credit's marketing and sales operations globally, as well as having senior management responsibility for International Operations, which covers all Ford Credit business units outside the U.S. and Canada. Previously, he was chairman of Ford Credit Europe.

Silverstone has been with Ford Credit for 32 years, joining Ford Credit Britain as a field representative. He has held a wide variety of staff, operations and leadership positions in the U.S., the UK and Australia, and had regional responsibilities for various European and Asia Pacific operations.

"Ford Credit's prudent lending practices, superior servicing and strong business fundamentals ensure reliable support for Ford, dealers and customers through all economic cycles," said Bannister. "With a keen focus on our dealers, customers and investors, Bernard will play a key role as we deliver even more to all our stakeholders."

About Ford Motor Company and Ford Motor Credit Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 166,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. Ford Motor Credit Company LLC is a leading global automotive financial services company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford. It has provided dealer and customer financing to support the sale of Ford Motor Company products since 1959. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com. For more information on Ford Credit, visit www.fordcredit.com or www.lincolnafs.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Credit Company