New President for Ford Australia
September 24, 2008 by David Twomey
Ford Motor Company has appointed the third President and CEO of its Australia operations in the past six months – and the first Australian since Geoff Polites, following the resignations of Tom Gorman and then his successor Bill Osborne.
The new boss of Ford Motor Company Australia is Marin Burela, currently Vehicle Line Executive Director, Global Small Car Segment Vehicles.
He will relocate to Ford Australia’s Melbourne offices from October 1, and report directly to John Parker, Executive Vice President, Asia Pacific and Africa.
Both Mr Gorman and Mr Osborne, long-term Ford executives, left the company to take up positions outside the automotive industry.
Mr Burela’s experience with bring small cars to the market, including the latest Fiesta, will be vital in reviving the fortunes of what has become known as the ‘Falcon Car Company’.
Mr Burela will be replaced in his current job by John Sullivan, currently Director of Product Development, Asia Pacific and Africa, who will relocate to Cologne, Germany.
Mr Burela first joined Ford Motor Company in 1984, and has served in a variety of senior management positions in manufacturing, sales and marketing, and product development, in Asia, Europe and North America.
These included a number of senior management roles at Ford of Australia, where he was last based in 1998.
Mr Burela’s appointment to lead Ford Australia marks a return to where his career began with Ford as an engineering graduate of Ford of Australia’s graduate program nearly 25 years ago.
“Mr Burela’s strong leadership and broad experience within Ford Motor Company will be vital to driving the successful future of Ford Australia’s operations.
“ As a native of Geelong (Ford’s Australian birthplace), his return to Ford Australia allows him to lead not only one of Ford’s more strategic global markets, but one for which he has such a strong affinity,” said Mr Parker.
Mr Burela joined Ford of Europe in 2004 to lead the development of Ford’s Global Small Car product portfolio.
This included the new global Ford Fiesta, which is currently being rolled out in European markets, and soon by markets in the Asia Pacific and Africa region.
In addition to his roles at Ford Motor Company, Mr Burela held senior management positions at Jaguar and Land Rover, under Australian Ford icon the late Geoff Polites.
At Land Rover, he was responsible for the group’s manufacturing operations, and appointed to the Board of Land Rover in 2000.
Mr Burela was also appointed to the Board of Jaguar and Land Rover in 2002, before re-joining Ford of Europe in 2004.
In assuming his new role as Vehicle Line Director, Global Small Car Segment Vehicles, John Sullivan will lead the ongoing development and success of Ford Fiesta, as well as the future small car programs that are a defining part of Ford’s new global product strategy.
In his previous role as Director of Product Development, Asia Pacific and Africa, Mr Sullivan oversaw a team responsible for creating and implementing an integrated product development team and product-cycle plan across the APA region.
“John was responsible for establishing our regional APA Product Development team, and leading, on behalf of the region, the critical collaboration which now takes place across our global product development system,” explained Mr Parker.
Prior to his posting in Bangkok, Sullivan worked as Technical Director, International Operations for Ford, Jaguar and Volvo at Ford’s Dunton Technical Centre in Dunton, England.
He also served as Chief Engineer for Ford of Europe from 1998-2005, where he was responsible for the body and safety engineering systems of the vehicles. Sullivan began his career with Ford in 1978.
Sullivan is a technical expert in the fields of Body Structure design, vehicle crash systems and analytical engineering systems (CAD/CAE/CAM).
Print it: 
Ford Australia is living on borrowed time; too many bad decisions in the past and the parlous state of Ford internationally leaves too little time to refocus the business (excuse the pun).
… And whats with the shocking paragraph spacing? Surly a few taps of the return key wouldn’t hurt after the old Copy and Paste?
huh? borrowed time and refocus the business? – they are already doing that once Broadmeadows starts manufacturing the Focus from 2011, complete with export deals…
Judging by the size of him the corner pie shop should do well.
“Mr Burela joined Ford of Europe in 2004 to lead the development of Ford’s Global Small Car product portfolio.”
I guess this is why he was chosen, to set up the local focus production??
Good to see an Aussie at the helm.
“In addition to his roles at Ford Motor Company, Mr Burela held senior management positions at Jaguar and Land Rover…..”. Didn’t Land Rover and Jaguar get sold by Ford cos they were loosing too much money? Not a track record to brag about I wouldn’t think.
Sam Says:
September 24th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
“In addition to his roles at Ford Motor Company, Mr Burela held senior management positions at Jaguar and Land Rover…..”. Didn’t Land Rover and Jaguar get sold by Ford cos they were loosing too much money? Not a track record to brag about I wouldn’t think.
Don’t know about loosing money – what the hell is loosing?
Is it a new way of losing money?
“”Don’t know about loosing money – what the hell is loosing?”"\
Certainly not his belt!!!!
Must be great to have the special skill set half you blokes have. Being able to judge a persons ability based solely on a photograph is amazing. The employment agencies would save so much time and money on interviews and background checks if they just had one bloke like Tim, Spartan, etc. Just a quick look at a photo, a nod or shake of the head, and the process is done.
How about we see if he can do a good job or not.
Geoff Polites was responsible for BA and Territory and dragging FordOZ back up after AU. Before he left he put in place plans for diesels to go in Tezza and maybe Falc.
Along comes Tom Gorman who scraps the diesel plan which is now hurting the Territory in particular.
All Bill Osbourne had time to do is preside over the release of the FG before he buggered off for another industry.
Hopefully an Aussie at the reins can emulate what Polites achieved.
T-N-F-P you might want to get your glasses prescription checked
Wow, you guys are harsh. I was thinking why as part of training for Ford senior management do they give people the most horrendous taste in suits. With experience over Fords small-car project, he does seem the right man for the job. And Ford nay-sayers, the Focus is locked in for production in 2011, with the potential for production of all Focus platform based cars. So Ford’s not going anywhere, no matter how much you guys want it to. Best of luck to him and Ford Oz.
Looks like another sterling copy and paste job. Did this even get a proof read?
As an aside from the sub-par reporting, good luck to Ford Australia. These are some tough times for all and Ford has a tough time ahead to get back on track.
Hah, looks like someone had to jump in and do some quick editing…
About time.
Good luck in the new job Marin. I hope you get the support and time to rejuvenate Ford in Australia.
Watto_Cobra Says
Must be great to have the special skill set half you blokes have. Being able to judge a persons ability based solely on a photograph is amazing.
Sub concisely we categorize a person with in the first 30 seconds. I agree most important is the individuals ability, but equally important is that persons presents, how he is perceived. If this guy looks like that all the time I don’t think anyone would take him seriously when dealing with a global product like Ford.
As demonstrated by our bloggers here today.
Dion and Genie…
Agreed.
Wow, there are so many keyboard CEO’s in here today, talk about negative.
I don’t see why he won’t do the job he’s employed to do.
Ford AUS will be fine. Anyone wanna take bets?
The Salesman…
You’re judging his looks?
How bout many other ugly CEO’s, politicians etc…
Hello! you are talking about a simple pic of a Ford manager…
Funny how he had made it through the ranks at Ford while looking like he does…
Bill Obourne was black, wonder how he did it!?
Well, he’s standing behind someone higher up in the photo so you’ll never get a big plans decision from him anyway……….
Tim. You unpleasant little grub. I’d bet you’re no work of art yourself. Give the man / company some credit.
Confusion, I dont need to give him or the company any credit. Just like 60% people here say, he doesn’t look like a ‘manager’…and with a ‘little grub’ face like that, I wouldn’t do business with him.
I’m not criticising or predicting what he will do for the company, its just a persons expression can say a lot.
Gotta hand it to you Tim, you certainly don’t mince your words. Good for you. Do you wear a pointy white cap?
Adam,
He is the third president id six months, they would have limited human resources left, and this guy LOOKS like he came from the bottom of the barrel. I did not say he couldn’t do the Job, I said that looking the part is as important as having the ability. Especially since he has no real authority, and is more a puppet for public relations and a report jockey.
Hasn’t Holden had 3 presidents in the last year or so ? Maybe they just dont like australia………..
More blah, blah…
Some lead boring lives.
This new CEO’s looks have nothing to do with his managerial abilities full stop.
What rubbish.
Land Rover has been profitable for years and Geoff Polites made Jaguar turn a profit before Ford sold it, that’s why Tata shelled out $2b, because both companies make money!
Yes holden have had similar issues with high CEO turnover recently.
Adam,
You think we lead boring lives?
Why respond to a subject you think is boring?
Unless you are really board?
You really should read all I said before responding; once again I agree his looks have nothing to do with ability. Thanks for being apart of the discussion, you add value to this site because you provide a common enemy for all the bloggers. Sounds like you will fill the role well.
Any other insights chief?
THE car person in the industry at the moment is Carlos Ghosn. ‘the billion dollar man’.. His turnaround of Nissan is Legendary. Yet he is no oil painting…
Dont forget the highest grossing actor in hollywood is……… Tom hanks.
Anyway, back to topic. I love how the photo shows two other ’suits’ cropped out. That photo is begging for the comment ‘NEXT!’ LOL.
The Salesman…
Stick to the topic. The looks of an auto CEO are not what this article is about and have no impact on the job he has been assigned to do.
If you want to label me as the enemy for bloggers due to not wanting to partake in irelevant ramblings so be it.
I was here long before you, ‘chief’
Salesman and Tim:
I hope the fleas of a thousand camels infest your armpits.
Adam:
Fair comment.
I think the moderator should close this bigoted blog.
Adam,
Hmmmmmmmmmmm
Some one needs to lay down for a nap…..
I was not the first one to judge his looks, but you responded to my comment first so that tells me you think my comments have some value. Thanks.
Now read this s.l.o.w.l.y
Once again I agree his looks have nothing to do with ability.
I have said this all along.
You said,
If you want to label me as the enemy for bloggers due to not wanting to partake in irrelevant ramblings so be it.
I was here long before you, ‘chief’
Well i say,
If you don’t want to partake in irrelevant ramblings then why start one?
Champ…..
Confusion, are you confused? What, I can’t have an opinion about how a person looks like, and if I would like to deal with him? Like Salesman, I never said that he will do a bad job for Ford.
“I’m not criticising or predicting what he will do for the company, its just a persons expression can say a lot”
So calm down if you can’t respect what I feel personally about him. You are not Mr Burela, are you :)
ford ceos are dropping like flies.
pretty soon they will become an endangered species as no one wants to take the pressure of going down with ford.
I’m always confused Tim.
I am calm, I do not respect your superficial views.
No, I’m not Mr Burela, but I am his Mum.
Cheers :)
lol confusion,
Don’t worry peoples were just taking a mickey out of him, im sure he will do a good job, unlike his american rejects before him. but time will tell i guess.
I do agree with some comments though, to be successful you need charisma, which is not only how you look (dress and looks) but also how you deliver speeches, body posture, people need to feel positive about you. And I hope for Ford’s sake this guy will be. and no doubt you need a unique quality to be a successful CEO…
Lay off the personal attacks Spiderman.
So athe guy taking over the Top Job at Ford Australia is Currently in charge of Fords Global Small Car Projects.
Which I feel could possibly add fuel to the rumours that Ford will [do the unthinkable and] make the Falcon FWD
[that is if it survives at all]
i was reading sales figures for the falcon november 2004 , 5628 , august 2008, 2708 .
half , and its dead in the water aka mitsu 380 .
roll on focus , because thats about all they will be making,by 2010 .
the games changing very quickly and its all about fuel and nothing else
I remeber Marin Burela who was in charge of Stamping plant back in the early 90s at Ford in Geelong. Good person to talk to and always listened to everybody especially supervision. Another geelong man . GO CATS GO
BK
The cats are only days away from being torn limb from limb, and to borrow a phrase from the Tigers, “will be eaten alive….!” They failed in ‘89 when they tried to smash Brereton and their back to back dream will soon be mercilessly crushed! Go Hawkers!!!
Sorry everyone, this is not the slightest bit related to cars, but I’m Victorian and it’s Grand Final week after all…
This company is doomed, this guy was brought in to slowly wind down operations in Australia and eventually close up shop. Even the Ford factory in his home town is closing down. Very bleak news.
Loosing – losing whatever. Typo. Ford is still crap. They ran Jaguar into the ground. Jack-of-all-trades Tata was the only buyer for these languishing companies. I’m surprised the Chinese didn’t buy them because of the brand value alone.
Are you for real, Sam? The new XF and XK are remarkable cars that were designed under Ford. The Blue Oval kept them on life support, and gave them engines such as AJ(Duratec) V6s and, if I’m not mistaken the AJ-V8 is MOD based.
On topic, this guy is the closest to Polites Ford’s had since (his tenure), which is a good thing. He could restore the passion since lost for the brand.
“Ford Motor Company in Australia is the Falcon motor company”. i like this statement from the Geelong born (go Cats) new Ford CEO i wish him all the best, i hope the Falcon survives as its been a great car, we’ve had them over the last 20 years. Next year iam in the market for a new petrol turbo territory with the 270kw engine, take note mr Burela, i maybe the niche market for strong Aussie Fords. ps like the digital speedo in the new FG and the HMI screen..and the reversing camera is great
Ford has just comitted 5 more years sponsorship to Geelong Footy club……..thank you Ford !!! It is the longest sporting sponsorship anywhere in the world……….actually its in the Guiness Book of World records I think. So we have the Greatest Team ever and FG, the best car ever made in Oz…….. Excellent !! Cats will pluck Hawks……..no worries.
So Sam and John says Ford is doomed? You’s realise the earth is eventually doomed but you’ll be waiting a long time for that too.
And Ford is crap? Have you’s driven the FG or Tezza or XR5Turbo? Do you’s even read reviews? Look at all the comparos and accolades they’ve already won, including first ever Oz car to score 5 stars in Ancap, Motor’s Bang-For-Your-Buck, Wheels, NZ Autocar, etc, etc, etc. Open you closed minds.
Sales doesn’t equate to best car you’s know, or else Lambo, Bugatti, Ferrari must be crap.
LS….so he’s made his first decision then. probably written with lemon juice incase they lose this saturday…….
Ford do make good cars, And you can win all the awards you like.
Remember Ford is looking for a larger slice of the ever shrinking family car market. Buyers are voting with their feet and are buying more fuel efficient, medium or small cars.
Lambo, Bugatti, Ferrari are in a completely different market place and although I am sure they want to sell as many as possible I don’t think their targets are the same as Ford.
The salesman,
more like the buyers are proving their ignorance when it comes to fuel costs.
i say congrats to those that think they can afford a double mortgage payment by down sizing their vehicle to one that uses a measly 1L less
you can save more by shopping around for a better insurance deal than the $$$ you will save from having to cruise to work like a sardine.
oh,
and what a terrible article.
i had to read the thing a few times before i could make sense of it.
this also isnt the 3rd appointment in 6 months.
for it to be the 3rd appointment in 6 months, it would mean Gorman was also appointed less than 6 months ago.
Andrew M,
I know that a six cyl run at constant temperature will use less fuel than a four. I also know a four cyl motor has a smaller stroke than a six and therefore has to work harder than a six to maintain speed.
Hear is the kicker, our new car buyers are now mostly living in big cities and metro areas and don’t travel long distance like our dad’s used to.
And not only do you save 1L of fuel but also rego, insurance, maintenance, repairs and you will get a better re sale because what’s popular new is popular used.
I drive a six cyl as a family car for the space and comfort, but we live in a metro area so we use around 70L of fuel a week, that’s $112.00. If I could get away with driving a four I would….