LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. - Bill Ford Jr., the scion of Ford Motor Co., relishes his current job as the automaker's executive chairman because it allows him to focus on the future -- a future that he says does not include returning to the job of CEO, Reuters reported.

Besides, if Ford has his way, the CEO post won't open for years since he has taken to half-jokingly urging incumbent Alan Mulally to put off consideration of his own retirement until the middle of the next decade.

But when it does come open, Ford is confident he won't be called again, because this time -- unlike in 2001 when he became CEO -- the company has a bench of managers who will be ready to step up to the plate.

"No, I don't see myself going back ever," said Ford in an interview with Reuters on Monday while he attended the Fortune Brainstorm Green conference. "You never say never, but it would be hard to envision the circumstances."

At 52, Ford appears to be a happy man. The company founded by his great grandfather, Henry Ford, has steered its way back to profitability and was the only Detroit automaker that was not forced to take government funding to restructure in bankruptcy.

"I take great pleasure in the fact that Ford has not only survived, but really is being held in such high regard now around the country and around the globe," he said.

These days, Ford gets to do things that a CEO might not have time for, like attend a conference on green ideas, a theme he has been promoting since the height of the SUV boom a decade ago when it was largely spurned by Detroit.

His vibe is relaxed, as is his dress -- blue jeans and a sport coat.

Ford also has time to play a lot of hockey, some times three times a week, and has "a blast" at the winter tournaments. He works with the community to help revive downtrodden Detroit and spends time with his four children.