Ford CEO Alan Mulally has put all speculation on whether he's moving to Microsoft if offered the role to lead the software giant, to rest, saying he has decided to stay, and not leave Ford for Microsoft, at least for 2014.
This announcement came in the wake of rampant speculation that Mulally is being slated to be next CEO of Microsoft. Until this time, he has chosen to avoid responding to the rumors, but the members of the board of directors at Ford had begun to be increasingly concerned about the publicity regarding this rumor.
Ford leaders, including Executive Chairman Bill Ford and Director Edsel Ford had frequently reiterated a 14-month-old plan that called for Mulally to remain Ford's CEO through this entire year, at least. However, Ford did promote Mark Fields to Chief Operating Officer in December 2013, and it appears that he is being groomed to be Mulally's successor.
"I would like to end the Microsoft speculation because I have no other plans to do anything other than serve Ford... You don't have to worry about me leaving," Mullaly told the Associated Press.
David Cole, chairman emeritus of the Center for Automotive Research, who speaks with Mulally regularly, reacted to Mulally's announcement by saying, "The questions about Alan and Microsoft weren't going to go away without some type of very specific, definitive answer."
Mulally, 68, was with Boeing Co. for 36 years. He started as an aeronautical engineer, and rose up the ranks to become president. In 2006, he was personally recruited by Ford Chairman and family heir Bill Ford during the time when Ford was fast plunging into bankruptcy. It was Mulally who was widely credited for turning Ford around during his seven years there.
It's because of his organizational skill that Mulally was being tipped to replace Steve Ballmer as CEO of Microsoft after Ballmer retires during the first half of 2014.
From Microsoft's side, it has also been aggressive in positioning itself lately within the automotive industry, aiming to be a leader in in-car technology. However, Google is a very strong contender for this title with the Android, and its recent partnership with other carmakers for the project.
