The new facility, to be completed in 2001, will house the North American headquarters for Aston Martin, Jaguar and Volvo and the global headquarters for Lincoln Mercury.

New Headquarter in California

Photo: Ford

The PAG headquarters will be part of an expanded Ford Motor Company campus at the Irvine Spectrum. The 300,000-square-foot facility will include a product development wing and a conference center on the ground floor, can house about 800 people and will include a vehicle display area, fitness center and cafeteria. The campus will house headquarters operations for Jaguar Cars North America, Volvo Cars of North America, Aston Martin Lagonda of North America, Lincoln Mercury and Mazda North American Operations.

"As we look to develop our luxury automotive business in North America, we can leverage the strength and synergies of our premium brands by co-locating Jaguar, Aston Martin, Volvo and Lincoln," said Dr. Wolfgang Reitzle, group vice president, Ford Motor Company and president, Premier Automotive Group. "As the Lincoln Mercury experience has demonstrated, California is an energetic, consumer-focused culture that will serve as an ideal location to plan the growth of these premium brands. The new headquarters will provide the Premier Automotive Group with a strong bicoastal understanding of luxury consumers."

Volvo announced that it will relocate its executive management, sales, marketing, communications and corporate service functions currently in Rockleigh, New Jersey. Volvo expects about 150 jobs will be relocated.

Jaguar announced it also will relocate its executive management and strategic functions, including dealer development, marketing, communications and direct support, from its current headquarters in Mahwah, New Jersey. Between 50 and 75 positions will be relocated. Lincoln and Mercury's headquarters will relocate to the new building from a temporary facility in Irvine.

"Ford Motor Company is a powerhouse of luxury brands. Establishing the PAG North American headquarters not only lets us grow these premium brands, but in turn, it sets a new standard for providing the care, service and meaningful relationship every customer deserves," said Reitzle.

Also today Ford Motor Company's Premier Automotive Group unveiled an artist's rendering of the new facility. LPA, Inc., based in Irvine, is the design architect, and Koll Construction, LP, based in Newport Beach, is the construction manager. William McDonough + Partners, based in Charlottesville, Va., are the environmental design consultants.

(Feb. 24, 2000)