Ford appoints new Transformation Officer for South America and India

Two senior executives are getting new strategic assignments, as Ford accelerates improvements to its global automotive business – to the benefit of customers and the company.

Steven Armstrong, who has led the Changan Ford joint venture in China for the past year and one-half, will become Transformation Officer, South America and India, effective May 1.  In that role, he will lead evaluation of capital allocations to India and conclusion of restructuring of Ford’s South America business.

At the same time, Daniel Justo, currently Ford’s CFO in the region, will become, president, Ford South America.  Justo and Anurag Mehrotra, Managing Director, Ford of India, both will report to Armstrong in his new role.

After a transition period, Lyle Watters, who is presently Ford’s president, South America and International Markets Group, and headed the transformation planning for South America, will relocate to Shanghai and take on the newly created position of general manager, Ford Passenger Vehicle Division, within Ford China, starting July 1.

Both Watters and Armstrong are Ford corporate officers.  Armstrong will report to Kumar Galhotra, president, Americas and International Markets Group, along with Dianne Craig, who became president of Ford’s International Markets Group in February.  In his new position, Watters will report to Anning Chen, president and CEO, Ford China.

He Xiaoqing will be Armstrong’s successor as president of Changan Ford and report to Watters.  He joined Ford China in April 2019 as director, Enterprise Alliances.  He previously held several national and international senior leadership positions and is a well-respected leader in the China automotive industry.