Two Top Executives at Ford to Retire DETROIT - The Ford Motor Company on Thursday announced the retirement of two members of its management team who were integral to the automaker's financial recovery and product renaissance.The retirements of Lewis Booth, the company's chief financial officer, and Derrick M. Kuzak, Ford's global product chief, had been expected. But their departures will test Ford's ability to continue its revival through leadership team changes. Lewis Booth, who at one time was considered as a possible replacement for Mr. Mulally, has led Ford's financial team during a critical period in which it has paid down debt and restored its stock dividend. Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg News Derrick Kuzak was hand-picked by Mr. Mulally to oversee Ford's transition from a truck-heavy product lineup to one that features smaller, more fuel-efficient passenger cars. There was no indication that Ford's chief executive, Alan R. Mulally, would leave the company at any time soon. However, the retirements of Mr. Booth and Mr. Kuzak narrowed the field of potential successors to Mr. Mulally and indicated that Ford was beginning to reshape its executive team for the future. "I have no plans to retire and am absolutely thrilled and honored to continue to serve Ford," Mr. Mulally said in a conference call with reporters. But, he added, Ford is concentrating on developing new senior executives to continue its comeback. "Our plan is to have a very strong succession plan for every position, including my own," he said. Mr. Booth, 63, will be succeeded by Robert L. Shanks, who is currently Ford's controller and has also been closely involved in the turnaround of the company's North American operations. Mr. Kuzak, 60, will be replaced by Raj Nair, who is vice president of engineering and global product development. Both changes become effective April 1, the company said. Mr. Booth, who at one time was considered as a possible replacement for Mr. Mulally, has led Ford's financial team during a critical period in which it has paid down debt and restored its stock dividend. He was viewed by analysts as more than a financial specialist, someone who advised Mr. Mulally on strategic moves such as selling off the Volvo luxury division. Mr. Kuzak's influence as head of global product development has been profound. He was hand-picked by Mr. Mulally, who joined the company in 2006, to oversee Ford's transition from a truck-heavy product lineup to one that features smaller, more fuel-efficient passenger cars. "Lewis Booth and Derrick Kuzak represent the very best of Ford and our culture, and built a legacy of leadership, integrity and commitment to excellence that will benefit us for years to come," said William C. Ford Jr., the company's executive chairman. In an unrelated move, Ford also announced that Jon M. Huntsman Jr., the former Utah governor and Republican presidential candidate, was elected on Wednesday to join Ford's board of directors.