Ford Shuffles Top Management as It Chases a Turnaround

As part of the announcement, Ford said Joe Hinrichs, 53, currently president of Ford’s automotive operations, would retire.

On Tuesday, Ford said its fourth-quarter loss was partly a result of a botched launch of a new Ford Explorer sport utility vehicle last year, a job that was part of Mr. Hinrichs’s portfolio.

Mr. Hackett said Friday that the troublesome ramp-up had not prompted Mr. Hinrichs’s departure. “That includes Joe’s job, but also others,“ Mr. Hackett said.

Mr. Hinrichs has been seen as a rival of Mr. Farley. Both were considered potential chief executives before Mr. Hackett took the job in 2017.

Although Ford produces the highly profitable F-series trucks, the top-selling vehicle line in the United States, its profits have slumped for the last several years.

Mr. Hackett has worked to streamline operations, in part by discontinuing slow-selling sedans and small cars in the United States. At the same time, the company is developing new electric vehicles and roomier models that American customers favor.

In the next year or so, Ford will introduce an electric S.U.V. styled to look like its Mustang sports car and reintroduce the Ford Bronco S.U.V.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/07/business/ford-motor-jim-farley.html?emc=rss&partner=rss