• by Tanya Gazdik , November 2, 2022

Joy Falotico, president of Ford Motor Co.’s Lincoln luxury division and the automaker’s former CMO, is retiring Dec. 1 after 33 years with the automaker.  

Falotico was MediaPost’s 2019 automotive marketer of the year. She was recognized for helping to transform Lincoln into a brand worthy of going head-to-head with the likes of BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar Land Rover and others. 

Falotico will be succeeded by Dianne Craig, who brings deep experience in sales, marketing, advertising, field operations and dealer relations to the global Lincoln role. Craig  will report to Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO. 

Falotico assumed the role of president of Lincoln in 2018.

She has been a group vice president of Ford Motor Company since 2016. She was previously chairman and chief executive officer, Ford Motor Credit Company, with worldwide responsibility for this leading global financial services business that supports Ford dealers and customers. She also served as Ford’s chief marketing officer from March 2018 through January 2021.

Falotico is credited with helping to drive the resurgence of the luxury brand around the world, including its growth in China, strengthening the Lincoln retail network and setting the stage for the brand’s digital future.

“Joy has been a wonderful steward of Lincoln, building out its distinctive lineup of vehicles and experiences, polishing the Lincoln brand image, and overseeing a promising growth strategy in China,” said Farley in a release. “As Lincoln embarks on its second century, it is well positioned to flourish with a new generation of electric and connected vehicles.” 

During her tenure, Lincoln launched popular new models like the new Lincoln Aviator and Corsair, the Lincoln Zephyr in China and the Lincoln Star and Lincoln Model L100 concept vehicles.