The head of Ford Financial, Don Winkler, announced his resignation today. Mr Winkler, who was a company group vice president and chairman and chief executive officer of Ford Financial, the company's finance and credit arm, joined Ford Motor Company in 1999 as chairman and CEO of Ford Credit.

Greg Smith, president and chief operating officer of Ford Financial, and vice president, Ford Motor Company, will be the new head of Ford Financial.

Ford said Mr Winkler's leaving came after internal discussions and was a "mutual decision". (December 17, 2001)