Ford Motor Co. President Nick Scheele will retire Feb. 1.

Scheele will be succeeded by COO Jim Padilla, who also becomes a board director.

Ford Vice Chairman Allan Gilmour also will retire – for the second time – on Feb. 1. Ford announced the leadership changes Thursday.

It is the second promotion this year for Padilla, 58. He became COO in April and took over day-to-day responsibility for Ford's automotive operations from Scheele. At that time, Ford executives said the moves were a step toward retirement for Scheele.

Scheele, 60, became CEO Bill Ford's No. 2 in 2001. He led the troubled automaker's turnaround plan after the departure of former CEO Jacques Nasser.

Gilmour, 70, rejoined Ford as CFO in 2002 to help Bill Ford during the turnaround efforts. Since July 2003, Gilmour has been vice chairman, largely investigating ways for the company to reduce its soaring health care costs.

Ford Motor Co. President Nick Scheele will retire Feb. 1.

Scheele will be succeeded by COO Jim Padilla, who also becomes a board director.

Ford Vice Chairman Allan Gilmour also will retire – for the second time – on Feb. 1. Ford announced the leadership changes Thursday.

It is the second promotion this year for Padilla, 58. He became COO in April and took over day-to-day responsibility for Ford's automotive operations from Scheele. At that time, Ford executives said the moves were a step toward retirement for Scheele.

Scheele, 60, became CEO Bill Ford's No. 2 in 2001. He led the troubled automaker's turnaround plan after the departure of former CEO Jacques Nasser.

Gilmour, 70, rejoined Ford as CFO in 2002 to help Bill Ford during the turnaround efforts. Since July 2003, Gilmour has been vice chairman, largely investigating ways for the company to reduce its soaring health care costs.