Chantel Lenard has a hot job: she is the group marketing manager for Ford’s small and medium vehicles in the U.S.

These two segments are seeing lots of activity from automakers, and Ford will soon offer 10 unique models created from the company’s all-new global C-Car platform, developed under its One Ford strategy. The rapid expansion of the company’s B- and C-size lineup is an exciting and challenging opportunity for Lenard and her team.

Read the chat below, which took place on Friday, October 2, at 2:30 p.m. EDT to see what she had to say about these segments.

“Since 2004, the small-car market has grown from less than 15 percent of the U.S. market, to nearly 22 percent of industry sales through August of this year,” said Lenard.  “Ford is in a unique position to take advantage of that growth, by leveraging our world-class global B and C platforms to bring outstanding small vehicles to market quickly.”

In Europe, Ford cars have a strong reputation for outstanding driving dynamics, eye-catching design and innovative technology. Leveraging these strengths globally allows Ford economy-of-scale benefits that will provide excellent value to consumers, and technology not typically seen in small cars.

Having held a variety of sales, marketing and strategy positions with Ford, Lenard describes her present role as one of the most challenging.  By the end of 2011, Lenard will oversee the launch of the Ford Fiesta, the all new, next-generation Ford Focus sedan and five-door hatchback, the Ford Focus BEV (battery electric vehicle), the C-MAX, and a Mercury C-sedan.

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