F Ford Motor Company

By Austen Hufford 

Ford Motor Co. named a new leader for its key North American operations among several executive changes, a day after a top executive was fired after a company investigation into allegations of misconduct.

The company on Thursday appointed Kumar Galhotra, the company's chief marketing officer and head of its luxury-focused Lincoln Motor Co., as president of Ford North America.

Shares rose 0.4% in morning trading Thursday.

Mr. Galhotra will report to Jim Farley, Ford's president of global markets.

On Wednesday Ford said that Raj Nair, a Ford veteran who most recently ran that business, left the company after an investigation found his behavior was inconsistent with the company's code of conduct. Mr. Nair had only been in the role since June.

Ford said the promotion of Mr. Galhotra and other appointments are designed to strengthen its automotive business, improve its operational fitness and help it focus on emerging opportunities. Last year, Ford named an industry outsider, Jim Hackett, as its chief executive to help position the auto maker for growth in a world where competition from tech giants and young startups and development of electric vehicles and autonomous driving are shaking up the industry. The leadership moves announced Thursday follows a shake-up Mr. Hackett led last fall.

In other leadership appointments Ford said that Stuart Rowley would be chief operating officer at Ford North America, reporting to Mr. Galhotra. Mr. Rowley had previously been vice president for strategy at Ford.

Joy Falotico will become Ford's chief marketing officer, responsible for overseeing the company's marketing budget, and the head of Lincoln. Ms. Falotico was CEO at Ford Motor Credit Co., Ford's financing arm.

David McClelland will become the new CEO of Ford Credit. He was previously head of marketing for the unit, as well as leading the Asia Pacific region.

John Lawler has been appointed vice president of strategy, succeeding Mr. Rowley. Cathy O'Callaghan was named corporate controller for Ford and financial chief for global markets, after leading the financial operations of Ford South America.

Write to Austen Hufford at austen.hufford@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 22, 2018 10:29 ET (15:29 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2018 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.