Ford India’s Nigel Harris to take charge of Ford's China JV

Ford Motor Company has announced changes in its China, India, Global Strategy and Finance leadership team, as it elevates the reporting of its China operations and expands its business model to be both an auto and mobility company.

Nigel Harris, managing director and president of Ford India, has been appointed president of Ford Motor Company’s China joint venture, Changan Ford Automobile Co, effective July 1, 2016. Harris’ successor will be named at a later date.

In China, Harris will report to David Schoch, Group vice-president and president, Asia Pacific, Ford Motor Company. On June 1, 2016, Harris was appointed by Ford’s Board of Directors as a company officer.

In his role, Harris is responsible for leading Changan Ford’s operations which include the manufacturing, marketing, selling and servicing of Ford products, including the Ford Focus, Escort, Mondeo, Taurus, EcoSport Kuga and Edge.

During his tenure in India, Harris was responsible for managing and growing the integrated manufacturing operation of Ford India, leading the charge for product programs to serve customers in India as well as the growing export business, and overseeing the successful implementation of Ford’s expansion plans.

Harris began his Ford career in 1985 in New Zealand, as a fleet sales analyst and has held various positions within marketing and sales across Europe, Africa and the Asia-Pacific. This includes serving in Changan Ford as the general manager for sales from 2007 until 2012. During his time there, he led the team that grew monthly sales volume by nearly 250 percent and was a core member of the team that developed Ford’s growth plan for China. Following his previous role at Changan Ford, Harris led all sales and services operations across Asia Pacific as the vice-president Sales & Service, Ford Asia-Pacific.

Harris will be based at Changan Ford’s headquarters in Chongqing, China.