After five years with the Chrysler Group, Jeff Bell, the automaker’s VP-product strategy, is leaving the company and is reportedly heading for Microsoft Corp.
Angela Ford, manager of diversity and human resources at Chrysler, confirmed that Bell is leaving but would not disclose if he was headed to Microsoft’s Redmond, WA, headquarters. Microsoft did not respond to inquiries by press time.
Bell was instrumental in developing successful branded online video games for the company, Ford said.
Despite his efforts, the Chrysler Group reported last week that U.S. sales in May fell 14% to 191,261 units compared to sales of 214,575 units one year ago. The company said it was responding to declining consumer confidence, rising interest rates and high fuel prices with vehicles that deliver fuel efficiency and alternative fuel choices.
Bell joined the Auburn Hills, MI-based company in May 2001 as VP-communications. In 2003, he was appointed the VP Chrysler/Jeep marketing and was responsible for all marketing and product planning for both brands. In February, he was named VP-product strategy.
Prior to joining Chrysler, Bell worked as the director of retail marketing and e-business at Ford Motor Co. He began his career at Ford in the customer satisfaction group in 1989.
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