Alex Trotman, 71, Chairman of Ford
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A former chairman of Ford Motor Company, Alex Trotman, who spearheaded a $5 billion restructuring to restore the automaker to profitability in the 1990s, died yesterday in England. He was 71.
Trotman became CEO in 1993, two years after Ford posted a then-record loss of $2.3 billion. He directed the 1995 launch of a restructuring plan that included the consolidation of the Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker’s North American and European operations.
Under Ford 2000, the company cut $5 billion in costs by having more vehicles share major components and by squeezing suppliers for lower prices.
He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1996, and acquired the title of Lord Trotman of Osmotherly in 1999.
