Deborah Stewart Coleman has been named president, chief executive officer and chief operating officer for AutoAlliance International Inc. (AAI, Flat Rock, Mich, USA), the joint manufacturing venture owned by Mazda Motor Corporation and Ford Motor Company. She is the first female president of AAI.

Coleman will replace current President, CEO and COO Bruce Bowman, effective September 1, 1999. She joined Ford in June 1987, and has served in many key managerial assignments, including plant manager of Ford's (Lorain) Ohio Assembly plant and, most recently, Ford's Quality Director of Vehicle Operations. She is promoted to the position thanks to her past excellent performance.

"We are excited to welcome Deborah Coleman as our new president. She brings many years of experience in automotive manufacturing, and will do a great job as the new leader of AAI," said Yoichiro Furuse, AAI chairman of the board, and senior managing director, Mazda Motor Corporation.

Bowman, who had previously served as AAI's general manager and vice president of manufacturing, and has been at the current position since June 1996, will retire at yearend after 34 years of service with Ford Motor Company and AAI. "We're grateful to Mr. Bowman for his outstanding leadership and service at AAI," said Furuse, "Mr. Bowman leaves AAI well-positioned for its next leader."

The AutoAlliance plant in Flat Rock, Michigan, started production in 1987 and achieved the 2 millionth production in June this year. It produces the Mazda 626 and Mercury Cougar. The company employs approximately 3,100 people, and has an annual total capacity of 240,000 units (at straight production).