Ford adds former Renault exec to lead new business operations

DETROIT — Ford Motor Co. on Monday explained it has employed Franck Louis-Victor from French automaker Renault to direct its New Business enterprise unit as CEO Jim Farley reshapes his leadership team to carry out his Ford+ development approach unveiled last month.

Louis-Victor, 48, will oversee the firm’s autonomous car or truck and mobility companies groups as effectively as its Ford X incubator. The shift is efficient July 1.

“We are accelerating progress of disruptive systems and focusing on remaining a chief in locations that improve always-on associations with customers and give them rising freedom of movement,” Farley explained in a statement. “Franck’s got good practical experience that will aid his team and Ford nurture new tips by way of the start out-up period, with the best prospects launched on their own or integrated into our business models.”

Farley was Ford’s president of New Business enterprise, Technologies and Approach for about a calendar year ahead of remaining named COO in 2020 and, afterwards that calendar year, CEO. Scott Griffith, CEO of Ford’s autonomous motor vehicles and mobility enterprises, has been interim direct of the New Business enterprise unit.

Louis-Victor most not too long ago has been vice president of new media and companies innovation at Renault. Before that, he was world wide director of linked cloud and companies for the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance.

His appointment arrives as Ford prepares to launch an autonomous professional companies business upcoming calendar year. The support was originally scheduled to launch this calendar year but was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. Ford also owns the Spin scooter business, though Bloomberg described last month that it was contemplating divesting the support.