Geoff Polites - Aussie boss of Jaguar LandRover dies
20 Apr, 2008
33 Comments 
Geoff Polites, chief executive officer of Jaguar Land Rover, has died peacefully in Australia at the age of 60.
*UPDATE*
The current Presient of Ford Australia, Bill Osborne, said:
“Geoff was home in Australia for the birth of his first grandchild and unfortunately became critically ill while here. He passed away with his wife and family by his side.”
Despite battling ill health for the past two years, Geoff never lost sight of his goal to return Jaguar Land Rover to profitability. He exhibited similar strength of leadership and determination during his time as President of Ford Australia – qualities which resulted in the successful introduction of the BA Falcon in 2002 and the Ford Territory in 2004.
“Despite having moved onto other roles within Ford Motor Company, Geoff continued to believe passionately in the products and the team at Ford Australia. His energy, enthusiasm and support for our business will be sorely missed.”
Mr Osborne said that for those who knew him well, he would be missed as a great friend, keen Swans supporter and dedicated family man.
Mr Polites, a former car dealer, was President of Ford Australia, and credited with reviving the company’s fortunes in Austalia, before heading overseas to a number of very senior posts with the Ford Motor Company, including heading up its European operations.
Mr. Polites, credited with leading the team that returned the Jaguar Land Rover business back to profitability and successfully steering it through its ongoing sale process to Tata Motors, had been battling serious illness for the past two years.
“Geoff’s untimely passing robs his family and friends of a man who was a real inspiration to us all,” said Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer, Ford Motor Company.
“His drive and determination, combined with his clear sense of vision for the business, played a huge role in turning round the business at Jaguar Land Rover and returning it to profitability.
“ Geoff ensured that Jaguar Land Rover was not distracted and continued to focus on the fundamentals of the business during the recent sale process, despite at the time also fighting his own personal health battle.
“He was a trusted colleague and someone who was much respected not just by his peers but by all who had the privilege to work with him. Our sympathies are with his wife and family at this difficult time,” said Mulally.
Lewis Booth, executive vice president responsible for Ford Motor Company’s businesses in Europe, said: “For many of us at Ford and Jaguar Land Rover, we’ve lost not just a respected colleague but a great friend.
“Geoff was always someone to look up to throughout his almost 40-year career in the automotive industry. His passion for the car business was legend, but the resolve he showed since taking over as CEO of Jaguar Land Rover in 2005 was something very special.
“His leadership of the team that has put the Jaguar Land Rover business back into profitability has been exceptional.
“Geoff has given Jaguar Land Rover the solid foundation and established the strong management team it needs for a successful future. We will miss our friend very much.”
David Smith, Jaguar Land Rover’s chief financial officer, will take over as the acting chief executive officer at Jaguar Land Rover until a successor is appointed.
- David Twomey
Location: Home / Jaguar, Land Rover, Ford, Australian Car Industry News, Car News / ...
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April 20th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Sad news :(
Geoff turned Ford Australia around…
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April 20th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
:cry:
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April 20th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
He gave us the Territory, too. He and a designer honcho took a scale model of it to America and said, “Come on, fellas!”
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April 20th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
a very sad day for ford and jag fans.
great guy and very good at what he did.
r.i.p mate and condolences to his family.
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April 20th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
I am very sorry to here the news of Geoff’s Death i would like to pass on mine and the XR Club of Sth Australia condolances to Family and Friends
Geoff was an inspiring man who brought Ford Australia into the future with the new models he will be dearly missed
RIP Geoff
regards Gary
XR Club Presidant
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April 20th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
I didn’t know him personally but of course knew of his success both in Australia and overseas.
My condolences to his family also.
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April 20th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
The man was a legend and saved Ford Australia. Very sad news:(
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April 20th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
OMG RIP you changed the way ford australia was done and you fixed up land rover and jaguar your a hero and your life was eneded in a high note with the XF.RIP
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April 20th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
I am more a holden fan than anything else but still find this sad.He did a lot for ford IMO.
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April 20th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
R.I.P. sad news. He did soo much for Ford and jag
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April 20th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Anti spam word “Jaguar” Hmmm
RIP Mr Polites.
May your family and friends remember you fondly.
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April 21st, 2008 at 12:14 am
The man who turned Ford Australia around.
RIP and best wishes to the family.
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April 21st, 2008 at 12:25 am
Vale, Geoff Polites, the man who gave Ford’s Aussie supporters hope after all thought the end was near.
Thank you for giving us the turn around of Ford Australia, the BA Series, XR6 Turbos, the Boss V8, FPV and the return of the GT’s and of course the Territory.
He will always be remembered as not only a great leader but a bloody good bloke.
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April 21st, 2008 at 8:18 am
R.I.P Geoff, you will be missed.
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April 21st, 2008 at 8:32 am
Sad news indeed and a bit of shock.
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April 21st, 2008 at 9:17 am
What a great Man,
we see his great work
every day R.I.P.
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April 21st, 2008 at 9:28 am
I met the guy a few years ago and must say he was a very kind unpretentious,honest and caring man not to mention very funny, he made a big difference in his his short 60 years on earth one helping Ford back on their feet here in OZ.
Im sure he will be missed in the automotive world and mostly by his family and close friends, my preys go out to them this day. Good Bless you Geoff.
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April 21st, 2008 at 9:45 am
May he rest in peace.
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April 21st, 2008 at 10:15 am
Great man,leaves a great automotive legacy R.I.P
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April 21st, 2008 at 10:38 am
Rest In Peace Geoff.
He’ll always be remembered for his amazing contribution to the Australian Automotive Industry.
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April 21st, 2008 at 11:19 am
Sad news. RIP Geoff, thanks for all you have done for Ford Australia.
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April 21st, 2008 at 11:36 am
Just a thought - might be a nice gesture from part of the the motoring community - Is CarAdvice in a position to send these well wishes to a family contact?
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April 21st, 2008 at 11:41 am
Thats sad.
Howard Marsden passed away a few years ago too.
GodSpeed G.P.
Cheers
F-0
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April 21st, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Hey J Ill ask Alborz in case hes busy otherwise at the moment and not watching this thread!
Im sure there will be more to come through the day……..
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April 21st, 2008 at 12:36 pm
I just read abt him in Wheels! RIP mate, Tata will be hard pressed to find a replacement for you.
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April 21st, 2008 at 1:28 pm
I met Geoff when I had a job interview at FPV/Prodrive in Campbellfield back in 2004. I got there early and was sitting in my car, he was walking through the car park and went out of his way to come up and say hi etc. It was a scorcher and he asked if I wanted to come inside and grab a drink. Even though I was disappointed as I didn’t get the job in the end, I’ve always remembered that gesture of friendliness.
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April 21st, 2008 at 4:51 pm
I remember the wheels article on him.
Sounded like a great guy that did so much for his passion.
Saved Ford Aus from going downhill and helped Ford make some of the great cars they do today.
Helped Jaguar to come back with new XK.
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April 21st, 2008 at 5:19 pm
If only there were more people that were as passionate about their job as Geoff, then the world would be a much better place
what a huge loss to the industry
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April 21st, 2008 at 9:34 pm
GP (Geoff Polites) HO Ford Aus owes it to the man that saved them
Respect
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April 21st, 2008 at 10:31 pm
R.I.P Geoff you gave all us Ford fans pride in the badge again thank you.Sadly missed
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April 22nd, 2008 at 8:41 am
Thanks for the B and most of all
THE XR6 T
you saved fords skin and gave them back some passion!
RIP
:(
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April 22nd, 2008 at 8:41 am
BA i meant above not B
:)
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April 22nd, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Sad sad news. RIP Geoff! hope heavens got some falcons and jags up there. Tell god to get off his horse and drive, burn some heavenly petrol.
I think there should be a Falcon XR6 Polites edition, with a focus on improved handling which was his whole emphasis. He brought us the XR’s back in 1992.
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