Bob Rewey, Ford marketing exec who moved the iron, dies at 76

[AF News Desk]

Robert Rewey, a former Ford Motor Co. sales and marketing chief who helped the company become dominant in the SUV market, pioneered leasing as an alternative to traditional financing and pushed a controversial consolidation of Ford’s dealership network in the late 1990s, died Saturday at his home in Palm Beach, Fla., after a brief illness.
He was 76.
Rewey retired from Ford in 2001 after a 38-year career that included a variety of high-level positions. He was a current board member at Sonic Automotive, LoJack Corp. and Speedway MotorSports.
Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford, in a statement, praised Rewey as “a great marketing visionary.” Bill Ford, who became CEO a few months after Rewey retired, later turned to Rewey for help leading the company through a difficult period.
“He inspired a passion for connecting with the customer at Ford and initiated many groundbreaking marketing innovations, including leasing and brand management that set the standard for the entire auto industry,” Bill Ford said. “He was a compassionate leader who served as a role model for so many people that were fortunate enough to know him and work with him. Our sincerest condolences and thoughts go out to his wife, Suzanne, and the entire Rewey family.”
Rewey often described his primary responsibility as “moving the iron.”
Rewey, left, general manager of the Ford Division, unveiled plans for a Ford product and technology display at the Renaissance Center in downtown Detroit in October 1986.



A 1997 profile of him released by Ford described him as “more social scientist than salesman, more engineer than ad man, and more master strategist than master of ceremonies.”
“Marketing’s role is to be the customer’s champion,” Rewey was quoted in the profile as saying, “to assure that every product and service decision be made with the full understanding of who the customer actually is, and what he or she ultimately wants.”
As vice president of marketing, sales and service for Ford Motor, Rewey announced in 1998 that the Lincoln-Mercury division would move its main office out of Michigan to adopt a “California state of mind.”
He is also credited with helping to reverse a plan to convert the Ford Mustang to front-wheel drive, making him a hero among Mustang dealers and enthusiasts.

Rewey with the 1986 Ford Taurus in late 1985 -- Motor Trend's car of the year in 1986.



But he rankled many dealers when Ford began an experiment that involved consolidating stores in metropolitan areas through joint ventures with Ford as an investor. The Ford Retail Network ultimately failed.
At his retirement in March 2001, Rewey was Ford’s group vice president of global consumer services and North America. He joined the Sonic board of directors later in 2001.
“Bob was just a really fantastic individual that over his career and life affected so many people,” Sonic Automotive President Scott Smith said today. “He had a wealth of knowledge that made our company so much stronger. It’s a tremendous loss for us.”

http://www.autonews.com/article/2014...autonews-blast