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.October 20, 2004
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This Week:

• GM Europe Announces Major Restructuring Initiative

• Kalbfell To Leave BMW Group

• Jaguar Shows Significant Improvement In 2004 J.D. Power and Associates APEAL Study 

• MINI Cooper Most Appealing Compact Car For Third Year In A Row

• Sign on the Dotted Line: Chrysler's 2005 Limited Edition Signature Series Offers Customers Tremendous Value and Savings

• Welcome Home For New Ford Dagenham Plant Manager

• BMW Financial Services Breaks Ground For New Location

• Nissan North America Begins Production of 2005 Frontier

• Mercedes-Benz A-Class now equipped with new side airbags offering double protection

• The first BMW Convertible with Diesel Power: The 320Cd Convertible

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Welcome Home For New Ford Dagenham Plant Manager

DAGENHAM, Essex – Ford's new plant manager at Dagenham has returned to the site where his manufacturing career began. Dave Parker, 49, took over as Dagenham Engine Plant Manager this month and looks forward to developing its role as Ford's global centre for diesel engineering and manufacturing excellence.

Dave first moved to Dagenham 22 years ago as a Shift Superintendent, after four years as a Buyer for Ford and a year studying for a Master's degree. Following other roles on the Estate in Truck Fleet and Utility and Estates Services, Liverpool-born Dave spent 10 years at Ford's Halewood Plant, where his father had worked.

Finishing his spell on Merseyside as Transmission Plant Manufacturing Manager, assignments as Plant Manager brought Dave to Leamington Foundry, Warwickshire, and to Cleveland Castings Plant, in Ohio, USA, before his return to Essex.

"It's good to be back and to see Dagenham's Engine Plant and Diesel Centre doing so well. I arrived to the news that Engine Plant has reached a higher level in the global Ford Production System. At Dagenham Diesel Centre I was impressed by truly world class engine design and manufacturing facilities, which strengthen our position in attracting new business," said Dave, who is married with two children and likes a variety of sports including golf and skiing.

He takes over from Mike Harvey, who retires after 41 years with the company. Mike said: "Ford Dagenham can be proud of how it has expanded diesel engine production to win new customers such as Jaguar and Land Rover. Together with the successful launch of CEME last year, Ford Dagenham is at the forefront of the Thames Gateway region's regeneration."

The Dagenham Estate has benefited from recent investment worth £325 million and currently produces five different diesel engines. Dagenham Engine Plant assembles 1.8, 2.0, 2.2 and 2.4-litre diesel engines and associated variants. The new adjacent Dagenham Diesel Centre builds a 2.7-litre V6 unit.

The Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence (CEME) is a public/private partnership offering further and higher education and training, including Ford apprenticeships.

(October 19, 2004)