Ford's Jaguar/Land Rover CEO Geoff Polites Dies Aged 60

Re: Past Head of Ford Australia dies

Yeah, I saw this on the Wheels website.

I'm thankful for his contribution to the Australian Auto industry. A true loss to the Blue Oval and Automotive land in general.

Posted Apr 21st 2008 7:57AM by Dan Roth
Filed under: Etc., Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover
Geoff Polites, who's stewardship of Land Rover and Jaguar improved the health of both properties, has succumbed after a long illness. Polites led Jaguar and Land Rover back to collective profitability, and kept a steady hand on the helm during the upheaval surrounding the sale to Tata a month ago. While rumors swirled and pundits punned, it was Polites leadership that kept Jaguar and Land Rover on an even keel, with heads down and concentrating, instead of freaking out. Polites spent 40 years in the automotive business, and rose to CEO at Jaguar Land Rover in 2005. Both brands have strong, stylish product portfolios with name cachet, and David Smith, CFO of Jaguar Land Rover will step in as acting CEO for now. Press release after the jump.




[Source: Ford]

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/21/jaguar-land-rover-ceo-dies/