PAG still a work in progress for Fields; Common electrical architecture is possible in 5 years.(News; Mark Fields; Premier Automotive Group)

Automotive News Europe, April, 2004 by Wernle, Bradford

Byline: Bradford Wernle

When Mark Fields was named to take the top job at Ford's luxury-brand stable two years ago this month, some skeptics were puzzled at the choice.

Could a young American with no previous experience in luxury brands really fill the shoes of his famous predecessor, Wolfgang Reitzle?

The stakes are high. Ford is counting on PAG for 30 percent of its target of $7 billion ([euro]5.8 billion at current exchange rates) in global profits by mid-decade. If Fields, 43, succeeds in getting PAG on track to meet that goal, he could eventually rise to the top at Ford.

There's still a long way to go. Last year, PAG reported a $164 million profit compared with a loss of $897 million the year before.

"If Mark can...

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