FORD Motor Company has promoted Australian-born Trevor Worthington to the role of vice-president of global product development operations and vehicle programs, with fellow Aussie Graham Pearson taking his former job as executive director of Asia Pacific product development.

As part of his new role, Mr Worthington will spearhead Ford’s future global product rollout and will also be responsible for reducing vehicle development costs through lower material costs and engineering expenses.

Mr Worthington brings 33 years of experience with him to his new role, joining Ford Australia in 1985 and serving in various roles in product development and strategy.

Most recently, he has served as Asia Pacific vice-president of product development since mid-2013, and played a key role in the production and manufacture of key China-market models such as the Escort, Taurus and Territory, and Indian-market Figo.

He was also ultimately responsible for the development of the Ranger pick-up and related Everest SUV that were mostly designed and engineered by the Australian team.

Mr Worthington also led Ford Australia product development for six years when the Falcon and Territory were still in production at the brand’s local production facilities.

In his new role, Mr Worthington will report to Ford Motor Company executive vice-president of product development and purchasing Hau Thai-Tang, who said: “With Trevor’s broad experience across some of the world’s fastest-growing markets, he will help us meet the needs of our diverse customer base by bringing together the best of Ford’s product development capabilities.

“This will enable us to bring exciting new vehicles to market faster and more efficiently,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Pearson steps up from Ford Asia Pacific vehicle line director of cars and SUVs – a position he has held since late 2016 – to fill Mr Worthington’s vacated role.

His new responsibilities include the implementation of Ford’s expansion plans in China, with 50 new vehicles expected to launch in the world’s largest automobile market by 2025.

Mr Pearson first joined the Blue Oval brand in 1988 as Ford Australia senior engineer and has since worked in various roles including chief program engineer of the Broadmeadows-built Territory SUV and supervisor of safety engineering in Detroit.

He moved to China in 2005 as Ford Asia Pacific director of engineering and led development of the China-market Focus small car and the Kuga mid-size SUV.

On Mr Pearson’s new appointment, Mr Thai-Tang said: “Graham’s deep experience across Asia Pacific – managing the delivery of multiple vehicle programs all the way from planning to production – will be an asset as he steps up to lead our PD (product development) organisation in the region.”

By Tung Nguyen