Worthington named Ford’s VP of global product development operations

Photo credit Trevor Worthington: FORD

Ford Motor Co. has appointed Trevor Worthington, who has helped develop the Ranger Pickup and led the introduction of more than 50 new vehicles in China, to oversee the automaker's global vehicle program & # 39; s led by product developer Hau Thai-Tang.

Worthington, 55, is a 33-year-old Ford veteran and works mainly on Ford's product development and product strategy.

"With Trevor's broad experience in some of the world's fastest growing markets, it will help us meet the needs of our diverse customer base by bringing together the best of Ford's product development capabilities," said Thai Tang in a statement Monday.

Graham Pearson, 52, will now lead product development in Asia and the Pacific and China, Ford said. In his most recent role, Pearson oversaw the car and # 39; s and SUVs of the automaker for Asia Pacific as line manager for vehicles. Previously, he held other positions at executive and senior executive levels under Ford's product development and engineering divisions.

It is no secret that Ford is struggling with consumers' preference switch from sedans to utilities and pickups. Up to and including November, Ford's American car sales declined by 18 percent, while light truck sales rose 1.5 percent.

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