CEO Alan Mulally told The Detroit News that Leclair was 'a fabulous contributor to Ford.' But he also said Booth will add the sort of global perspective and international experience the company needs to implement Mulally's 'One Ford' plan, which aims at integrating the automaker's disparate global operations. In addition to running the comparatively successful Ford of Europe, Booth was in charge of the Premier Automotive Group -- Ford's collection of European luxury brands that included Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover and Aston Martin. All but Sweden's Volvo have been sold off to help fund Mulally's restructuring effort. Booth also helped turn around Japan's Mazda Motor Corp., which Ford controls. 'We are going to leverage his experience -- especially his European and Asian experiences,' Mulally said, noting that Booth has fewer responsibilities now that Jaguar, Land Rover and Aston Martin have been sold. 'This is a chance for us to really utilize Lewis' skills.' Few expected Leclair to survive long after Chairman Bill Ford Jr. in September 2006 tapped Mulally, a former Boeing Co. executive, to lead the most far-reaching restructuring in the company's 105-year history -- especially after Ford posted a record loss of $12.6 billion that year. Leclair himself is said to have expected the ax. But the dour money man who had long been an outsider in Ford's flashy executive ranks found an unexpected ally in Mulally, who valued Leclair's candor and unflinching analysis of the financial challenges facing Ford. Leclair's sometimes strained relations with other top executives may have been a factor in his decision to leave the company. In discussing Booth's merits, Mulally emphasized his close working relationship with the other key members of Ford's global leadership team, noting that he has worked with all of them directly at various points in their respective careers. But Mulally also said Leclair deserves a lot of the credit for putting together the $23 billion finance package in 2006 that has insulated Ford from the sort of bankruptcy rumors that are swirling today around rival General Motors Corp. Ford initially tried to borrow significantly less than that, but Mulally said Leclair pushed for more when Wall Street responded favorably to the first loan request. 'We wanted to raise a little bit more to have a cushion in case the economy deteriorated further,' Mulally said. 'That was absolutely a key part in our ability to go forward today.' John Fleming, 57, will replace Booth as the CEO of Ford of Europe. He is currently president of that division, a post he has held since 2005. Leclair, 56, was appointed CFO in 2003. He joined Ford in 1976. 'I have appreciated my time at Ford and now look forward to spending more time with my family and pursuing other interests,' he said in a statement Friday. Leclair will stay on until Nov. 1 to assist Booth in the transition. Wall Street insiders told the News that Booth is a good choice to succeed Leclair, a sentiment echoed by industry experts in Detroit. 'They're looking for someone who buys into the plan and understands the global operations,' said David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research. 'Lewis certainly does that, and that's key.' You can reach Bryce Hoffman at (313) 222-2443 or bhoffmandteom.