Over and out: Ford North America president Raj Nair was once vice-president of operations for Ford Asia-Pacific – the region that includes Australia.

FORD North America president Raj Nair has left the company suddenly after an internal investigation into reports of inappropriate behaviour.

The shock departure of Mr Nair – a former vice-president of operations for Ford Asia-Pacific, which includes Australia – was announced by Ford president and CEO Jim Hackett who said Mr Nair’s behaviour was inconsistent with the company’s code of conduct.

“We made this decision after a thorough review and careful consideration,” he said. “Ford is deeply committed to providing and nurturing a safe and respectful culture, and we expect our leaders to fully uphold these values.”

Ford said Mr Nair’s replacement would be announced “in the near future”.

The company provided no details of the alleged breach of behaviour, for which Mr Nair apologised in a statement: “I sincerely regret that there have been instances where I have not exhibited leadership behaviours consistent with the principles that the company and I have always espoused.

“I continue to have the utmost faith in the people of Ford Motor Company and wish them continued success in the future.”

Mr Nair becomes the latest high-profile American to lose their job for unsavoury behaviour as workers push for more accountability from powerful corporate and political figures.

Mr Nair, an engineer by trade, had only held his current position – regarded as one of the most powerful in the Ford hierarchy – since June last year.

Before that, he had served as Ford’s head of global development and chief technical officer – a role that has strong ties with the Melbourne-based Ford Asia-Pacific Product Development Centre – home of the Ford Ranger and Everest SUV.

Born in Missouri and a graduate of Kettering University in the Detroit suburb of Flint, Michigan, where he studied mechanical engineering, Mr Nair, 53, joined Ford in 1987.

At one point, the fast-rising executive was placed in charge of the engineering and development of Ford’s most important model range, the F-Series pick-up, and related SUVs.

In a stint with Ford of Europe in Cologne, Germany, he was the vehicle operations launch manager for the 1996 Fiesta small car.

Between 2008 and 2010, Mr Nair served as vice-president of operations for Ford Asia-Pacific and Afric Region, overseeing its product development, manufacturing and parts purchasing actions.

As such, Mr Nair was directly responsible for Ford Australia’s now-defunct manufacturing operations in Victoria, as well as the associated design and engineering operations.

Mr Nair took over responsibility for Ford’s North American market – it’s biggest – in a shake-up after former Ford President Mark Fields retired after three years at the helm last May.

American reports suggested Mr Fields was forced out after shareholders complained about a 40 per cent plunge in the value of Ford shares during his tenure.

According to Reuters, Mr Nair stands to lose about $US4.8 million worth of Ford restricted shares had he remained with the company until May 2020.

By Ron Hammerton