Latest news with #InternationalMarketsGroup
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ford's Raptors Won't Go Electric or PHEV Anytime Soon, Insiders Say
Ford offers some excellent electrified powertrains (and one full electric one, too) across its vast pickup lineup, but one place you don't see electrification taking place yet is in the off-road Raptor lineup. Don't expect it to happen anytime soon, either. A recent report from Australia's Carsales delves into the timing of an electric Raptor, suggesting it'll happen one day — but that day is aways off. 'Inevitable at some time in the future that there will be electrified offerings [of Raptor] … but we're still working through what that means,' Ford's head of the International Markets Group Kay Hart said. Keep in mind that Hart speaks for all sorts of Ford's international markets, but the U.S. is not under that umbrella; the Raptor sold in those markets is the Ranger Raptor, though, a truck now sold here in the United States. Hart says the Raptor will continue to deliver better and more refined internal combustion engines in the short term, but puts no timeframe on when electrification might begin. How Ford might go about injecting electrification into Raptor models on the road to full electrification is another open question. Justin Capicchiano, Ford Performance, SVE program manager, spoke about the downsides of a plug-in hybrid. 'A straightforward PHEV is probably not going to let you deliver what you want to do,' Capicchiano told Carsales. 'You have to put that battery somewhere, and the logical position is going to be somewhere out the back, and that's going to impact your off-road capability.' It's not as though Ford's Raptor models are prime examples of Colin Chapman's maxim of simplify and add lightness, but adding on poundage without performance is an additional worry. 'Any battery-based system, you are looking at what the performance is like when the battery gets degraded,' Capicchiano said. 'Does it overcome the weight of the battery when the battery gets depleted?' The large batteries and electric motors that make up a plug-in hybrid system add huge amounts of weight to cars – just ask the latest BMW M5. And once you run dry of electric power, you're lugging around a huge battery, hurting both performance and efficiency. That doesn't rule out the path of a traditional hybrid like the F-150 PowerBoost, however; while it doesn't offer the electric-only driving range a PHEV provides, the weight penalty is much less from its smaller battery. For now, at least, we're happy to continue pounding around in the sand with Ford's V6- and V8-powered Raptors for as long as Ford lets us. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Ford Motor reveals leadership changes
Ford Motor Company has made series of key leadership changes to advance its Ford+ strategy, which focuses on enhancing product, services, and software offerings. The firm's Ford+ plan focuses on growth by combining its strengths, new capabilities, and ongoing customer relationships. Sherry House, previously vice president of finance, has been appointed as Ford's CFO, succeeding John Lawler. Lawler will transition to the role of vice chair, where he will oversee strategy, partnerships, alliances, and corporate development. Ford president and CEO Jim Farley said: 'We continue to build a talented, mission-driven leadership team that will consistently deliver results while transforming Ford into a higher-growth, higher-margin, more durable company in this fast-changing and competitive environment.' Marin Gjaja, previously the chief operating officer for Ford Model e, has been named chief strategy officer. Gjaja has experience in corporate strategy, having spent 25 years at Boston Consulting Group before joining Ford in 2022. David McClelland, Ford's vice-president of strategy and partnerships, will retire towards the end of the first quarter after a 32-year career with the company. In a further reshuffle, Andrew Frick will assume the role of president for both Ford Blue and Ford Model e. He will continue to oversee Ford Pro on an interim basis until a successor is named. Farley: 'We have a compelling strategy in Ford+, and John's and Marin's experience will help us capitalise on opportunities to deploy capital and create advantages amid the major shifts taking place in technology, policy, customer preferences and new competition.' Kay Harthas been appointed general manager of Ford Model e. She led Ford's International Markets Group to profitability. Harthas, who will report to Frick, was instrumental in launching the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning. Frick added: 'The Model e team will remain laser focused on delivering a profitable EV business as we launch our next-gen vehicles and solve for the unique needs and experiences of EV customers. 'At the same time, we will align our teams to improve our overall distribution and market approach to better serve our dealers, who are core to our retail execution across Ford Blue, Model e, and Pro as they become more specialised.' Daniel Justo, vice-president of Ford Customer Service Division, will lead customer experience initiatives. Furthermore, Ford China president and CEO Sam Wu will expand his responsibilities to include leadership of the International Markets Group. Jeff Marentic will report to Wu in his role overseeing Ford's International Markets Group. Farley added: 'Sam has led a significant turnaround of Ford's China business and his leadership will be an asset as we continue to profitably grow in China and around the world. 'Success across our international markets, including ASEAN, South Africa, Australia, and Middle East markets, requires leveraging our China export business as well and competing successfully against the Chinese automakers aggressively scaling in these markets.' "Ford Motor reveals leadership changes " was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
