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When Ford Motor Co. cut its stake in Mazda Motor Corp. to 13 percent from 33.4 percent in November, several key Ford Motor Co. executives on loan to Mazda had to make a decision: stick with Mazda or go back to Ford. One of Mazda's coups was hanging on to Ford lifer Jim O'Sullivan, who had been CEO of Mazda North American Operations since 2003.

O'Sullivan has been a key figure in the revival of Mazda's fortunes in North America, overseeing sales growth and the controlled reduction of the dealer body to emphasize exclusive showrooms.

O'Sullivan, 56, spoke last week with West Coast Editor Mark Rechtin.

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