Automotive Fleet, April 2019

AUTOMOTIVE FLEET I APRIL 2019 22 O n Jan 1 2019 Mark Buzzell assumed the responsibilities of director North America Fleet Lease and Remarketing Operations NAFLRO for Ford Motor Co Buzzell succeeded Kevin Koswick who retired after serving in the role since January 2008 Previously Buzzell was president and CEO of Ford Motor Co of Canada a position he held since January 2017 In his new position at NAFLRO Buzzell will oversee commercial and government fleet sales including remarketing efforts for the manufacturer He also has brand responsibilities for Fords commercial vans chassis cabs police vehicles taxis limousines livery and recreational vehicles Prior to serving as president and CEO of Ford Motor Co of Canada Buzzell was the general manager for the western market area in the United States a position he assumed in February 2015 In this role Buzzell was responsible for leading the operations for 456 Ford and Lincoln dealers covering five major metropolitan areas Los Angeles San Francisco Phoenix Seattle and Denver and across 13 states Buzzell joined the company in 1989 and has held a variety of marketing sales and service positions across the U S as well as in the Caribbean and Central America including merchandising brand development product marketing franchising sales development and dealer operations He has extensive sales field experience including assignments in Twin Cities Chicago and as general manager of the Great Lakes market area Buzzell has a bachelor of business degree from Pennsylvania State University and a masters degree in marketing from the University of Notre Dame Recently AF had an opportunity to interview Buzzell about his management philosophy and his near and long term goals as director of NAFLRO Here is our report AF WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONVEY TO FLEET MANAGERS ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR PHILOSOPHY TOWARD FLEET SALES BUZZELL Fleet sales represent almost onethird of Fords total business so its critical we continue to provide the best vehicles and service to meet our fleet managers needs We take this business very seriously and to ensure their voice is heard we hold multiple Voice of the Customer meetings with them and we follow up to make sure their feedback is fed back into the product When I was the CEO of Ford Canada I had the responsibility for the fleet business so I understand it well I am fortunate to work with a talented and passionate team and look forward to developing relationships with our valued customers AF WHAT IS FORDS OUTLOOK FOR THE COMMERCIAL FLEET MARKET FOR 2019 AND BEYOND NAMES NEW FLEET DIRECTOR MARK BUZZELL IS NO STRANGER TO FLEET AS THE PRIOR PRESIDENT AND CEO OF FORD OF CANADA ONE OF HIS KEY RESPONSIBILITIES WAS MANAGING ITS CANADIAN FLEET BUSINESS BUZZELL UNDERSTANDS FLEET AND RECOGNIZES ITS IMPORTANCE TO FORD BY MIKE ANTICH FORD PHOTO ISTOCKPHOTO COM Fleet sales represent almost one third of Fords total business so its critical we continue to provide the best vehicles and service to meet our fleet managers needs said Mark Buzzell director North America Fleet Lease and Remarketing Operations NAFLRO for Ford Motor Co