Too bad, as I'll miss Joe. Did not know him well, but have talked to him a couple of times, and seemed like a regular person. For you special young Hackett kids out there, when a senior executive suddenly "retires" , it is not do to age or health reasons....no, he is being forced out. Aslo amkes sense why he was not on stage yesterday with the Global Farce, er, sorry Global Cuddle.
Think three things are happening with this I believe:
(1) Someone had to take the blame for the botched Explorer/Aviator launch...Joe was elected. This despite I don't think he really signed off on launching both models simultaneously.
(2) Hackett cleaning house - Joe was a hold over from Mullay & Fields days, and probably did not fake it enough to convince Hackett he bought into the 'vision'. Same thing with Marcy...she was one of the realest people around you could find in a company the size of Ford, yet also would not put up with BS, either. Joe is cut from the same cloth....so they get broomed.