Ford Motor Co. announced that union concerns over working conditions at its Kansas City Assembly plant have been resolved. But a union officer says members are moving ahead with a planned strike authorization vote.

Ford Motor Co. reported sales results for the year-to-date October 2009. For the year-to-date, the total sales of its Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo brands were 1.37 million units, a decrease of 20.4%, compared to approximately 1.73 million units in the same period of 2008.

Ford Motor Co. announced the retirements of two senior executives in the Asia Pacific and Africa region and announced other key executive appointments to support the company's 'One Ford' transformation plan. John Parker, executive vice president, Asia Pacific and Africa, is retiring effective Jan. 1, 2010, after a 41-year career with the company. Parker, 62, joined Ford in South Africa and has held numerous senior leadership positions within Ford's Asia Pacific and Africa region, including the Southeast Asia region, South Africa, Taiwan, Australia and India. Ford also announced that Phil Spender, Ford vice president, is retiring effective Jan. 1, 2010. Spender, 55, joined Ford New Zealand in 1975 before he moved on to senior manufacturing leadership roles at Ford Australia. He was instrumental in establishing operations at Ford India and automotive joint ventures across China. Ford also announced two key leadership changes that will support the company's 'One Ford' transformation plan. Joe Hinrichs, 42, who is currently group vice president, Global Manufacturing and Labor Affairs, will succeed Parker as Ford's group vice president and president, Asia Pacific and Africa, and operate out of Shanghai, China. His appointment is effective Dec. 1, and he will work closely with Parker to ensure a smooth transaction. John Fleming, 58, will add the role of Global Manufacturing and Labor Affairs to his current responsibilities as executive vice president and chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe, effective Dec. 1. Fleming will continue to be based in Cologne, Germany. Fleming joined Ford in 1967 at the company's Halewood facility and has an extensive background in manufacturing at Ford, having served in a number of management roles, including director of Global Manufacturing Engineering and New Model Programs, executive director of the U.S. Ford Stamping Business Unit and vice president, Manufacturing, Ford of Europe.