* Ford Motor Co. promoted William Clay...

* Ford Motor Co. promoted William Clay Ford Jr. to general manager of its climate control division, a further sign that the great-grandson of the company’s founder is being groomed for a top job some day.

He had been executive director of Business Strategy for Ford’s Automotive Group since 1990.

Ford is one of several Ford family members who hold positions with the auto maker. The Ford family owns about 40% of the company’s voting stock.

His father, William Clay Ford Sr., is on the board, and his cousin, Edsel B. Ford II, is president of the Ford Motor Credit Co. unit.