Ford’s operations in Japan have returned to normal thanks to the dedication of the Ford employees and dealer partners who have continued to work hard to ensure things are moving forward despite challenges that remain following the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit the country last month.

Peter Fleet, president of Ford ASEAN, whose responsibilities also include Japan, was in Tokyo this week to meet with employees and dealers for an update on the business and to participate in the unveiling of the all-new Ford Explorer to the Japan dealers.

Fleet also got a first-hand account of how the team dealt with the crisis, and used an afternoon Town Hall meeting to explain that the thoughts of Ford employees everywhere had been with their Japan colleagues and reiterated the Company’s global support for the ongoing recovery.

“Your Ford colleagues all around the world have donated over USD 105,000 through the American Red Cross to support relief efforts in Japan. The first USD 50,000 has been matched dollar-for-dollar by the Ford Fund, so the total donated so far is USD 155,000,” said Fleet. “This demonstrates how, as One Ford, we are all in this together and want to find some way to help.”

Fleet also commented on how our business has shown remarkable resilience in the wake of the tragedy, and was now firmly focused on the opportunities for growth in the coming months.

“The way our team has kept the business focused on key marketing, sales and service deliverables during an unprecedented period of danger, disruption and difficulty is both admirable and commendable,” he said.

During the unveiling of the new Explorer to dealers, Fleet offered equal praise and encouragement to continue moving the business forward.

“Our dealers have remained fully operational throughout the last month, and we are now focused on the opportunities ahead,” Fleet explained. “Our sights are now set on going on to achieve, where possible, our original objectives for the year.”

The launch of all-new Explorer, a thoroughbred SUV loaded with smart technologies, will continue to be at the heart of Ford’s business in Japan.

“We have developed a premium niche for the US product line-up in Japan, with Explorer as the flagship vehicle, which is proving encouragingly profitable for Ford and our dealer partners,” he said.

The all-new Explorer will be officially launched to the public in Japan mid-year.