Ford names Gioia director of global electrification

ERJ staff report (AN)

Richard Truett, Automotive News

Ford Motor Co. is giving its hybrid vehicle chief, Nancy Gioia, a new title and oversight over electric vehicles.

Starting today, Gioia, 49, will be director of global electrification, a new position that includes responsibility for all of Ford's global hybrid and electric vehicle programs. Gioia had been Ford's director of sustainable mobility technologies and hybrid vehicle programs since November 2005.

Ford is investing heavily in electric vehicles and hybrids, and plans to launch battery-powered versions of the Ford Transit Connect small van next year and the Ford Focus in 2011. In 2012, Ford plans to produce a plug-in hybrid and roll out the next generation of its hybrid powertrain, which is used in the Ford Escape and Fusion and Mercury Mariner and Milan.

Ford said in a statement that Gioia will direct strategy and planning of the company's global electric vehicle portfolio, including dealing with suppliers, the energy industry and government.

In a statement, Sue Cischke, Ford's group vice president of sustainability, environment and safety engineering, said: “We recognize that pursuing electrification as one of our technology paths presents unique challenges for commercialization of the vehicles. It requires us to collaborate with new partners, define new business models, connect to a new infrastructure for the vehicles and meet new customer expectations around the globe.”

From Automotive News (A Crain publication)