Ovations, wave of new dealers mark Ford CEO's retirement

It was probably Allan Mulally's final public appearance in China as president and CEO of Ford Motor Co when he attended a ceremony in Shanghai on June 19 to mark the opening of 88 Ford dealerships across the nation.

Dealers whistled and gave a standing ovation as Mullaly went onstage, the same way the 68-year-old was treated when he announced last month in Detroit that he would retire on July 1.

Many industry insiders said he deserves the accolades for his role in preventing Ford from filing for bankruptcy in the US and then boosting its rapid development in China.