Joseph Gasan, chairman and chief executive of the Gasan Group of Companies, has been appointed a member of the Ford Motor Company's President's Circle.
This forum is an elite organisation of dealers representing Ford's global brands in more than 30 countries. Mr Gasan was considered for membership since the Gasan Group satisfies a number of stringent parameters which include performance in sales, customer satisfaction and community involvement.
The President's Circle is used by Ford to strengthen relationships between its executive team and the exemplary dealers. By seeking dealer insight and advice, the programme is intended to promote the growth of a strong dealer body.
In a letter addressed to Mr Gasan, the president and chief operating officer of Ford Company, James J. Padilla, extended his personal appreciation for the Gasan family's more than 50 years of loyalty and service to Ford Motor Company.
"With the ongoing commitment of dealers like you, Ford will maintain a strong presence in today's very competitive global market," Mr Padilla wrote.
Mr Gasan said: "I feel honoured to have been chosen to join the elite President's Circle and I will do my best to draw on my long experience to contribute towards Ford's worldwide success."
He said the family, through his son David, is now into the third generation of Gasans running the Ford business in Malta and he is confident his son will successfully continue to lead Ford and its associated companies in "the small but challenging and interesting" Maltese market.