Raj Nair, the head of Ford’s US operations, has resigned following an internal investigation into inappropriate behavior.
Ford said its inquiry had concluded that some of Raj Nair’s conduct had been “inconsistent with the company’s code of conduct”.
The company did not specify why the investigation was started, nor what it uncovered.
Raj Nair said in a statement that he sincerely regrets certain behavior.
In a statement, Ford President and CEO Jim Hackett said: “We made this decision after a thorough review and careful consideration. Ford is deeply committed to providing and nurturing a safe and respectful culture and we expect our leaders to fully uphold these values.”
Raj Nair had been President of Ford North America since July 1. He was previously head of global product development and chief technical officer.
He apologized, without elaborating on the reasons for his going.
He said: “I sincerely regret that there have been instances where I have not exhibited leadership behaviors consistent with the principles that the company and I have always espoused.”
Raj Nair added: “I continue to have the utmost faith in the people of Ford Motor Company and wish them continued success in the future.”
A company spokesman said Ford would not be commenting on the nature of Raj Nair’s departure.
In August, Ford agreed a multi-million-dollar settlement after an investigation into harassment at two factories in Chicago.
The inquiry was conducted by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which said female and African-American employees had been subjected to harassment and found the Ford retaliated against employees who complained about the harassment or discrimination.
Following the inquiry, Jim Hackett wrote in a letter to employees: “There is absolutely no room for harassment at Ford Motor Company…. We don’t want you here, and we will move you out for engaging in any behavior like this.”
Ford Motor Company’s new president and CEO Jim Hackett has outlined plans which he says will make the car giant “fit” to compete in a changing industry.
Jim Hackett said Ford would shift resources from traditional cars to SUVs and trucks, while investing in electric power and tech services.
Ford will also automate its manufacturing processes more to help to cut costs by $14 billion.
Jim Hackett identified the goals after a 100-day review.
He became Ford’s president and CEO in May, replacing Mark Fields, who had been in the top job for only three years.
During that time, Ford had two of the most profitable years in its history, but the share price drifted lower.
Investors have been concerned that Ford is not moving quickly enough in markets such as China and in sectors such as automated cars to fend off competitors, including new ones emerging from Silicon Valley.
Jim Hackett said Ford needs to automate and simplify its production processes and invest $7 billion in its successful products, such as SUVs and light trucks, which have driven US sales this year.
Ford is also planning to make its vehicles more tech-savvy, with 90% of its vehicles sold around the world “built with connectivity” by 2020.
Executives said those features – such as easy compatibility with phones and other devices – would help attract customers to the brand.
They said they also opened opportunities for new lines of business, such as medical transport, ride-hailing and goods delivery.
Ford already operates a shuttle bus service called Chariot in four US cities and is set to expand it further by the end of the year. It said it has signed agreements to work with cities such as Mumbai on transport.
Jim Hackett said Ford had been slow to shift to electrification because of the costs. But it is working on partnerships with companies such as Zotye in China, where the government has called for quotas related to electric car sales.
Jim Hackett is replacing Mark Fields as Ford CEO following a major reshuffle at the US car giant.
Mark Fields’ departure comes as Ford faces weak sales, falling profits and a near-40% decline in its share price since he took up his role in 2014.
Jim Hackett, 62, is described by the company as a “transformational business leader”.
The former boss of office furniture company Steelcase joined Ford in 2016 to run its autonomous driving division.
Executive chairman Bill Ford said Jim Hackett was a “true visionary” and the right person to lead the car maker.
Jim Hackett will focus on modernizing Ford and “transforming the company to meet tomorrow’s challenges”.
Ford shares rose 1.3% in morning trading in New York.
Last week, Ford said it planned to cut 10% of its salaried workforce in North America and Asia Pacific this year, on a voluntary basis.
The auto maker employed more than 200,000 people globally at the end of 2016, including about 101,000 in North America and 23,000 in Asia.
Sales in April were down 7% in the US and 11% lower in Europe compared with the same month last year. Ford has also been hit by costs related to safety recalls.
GM reported a record performance in the first three months of 2017, with revenue 10.6% higher at $41.2 billion, helped by strong sales of trucks and SUVs in the US.
Ford’s revenue in the first three months of 2017 was $39.1 billion, a rise of 4%.
At the time Mark Fields said the quarter was “an investment in Ford’s future”.
Ford launched new vehicles and he said it was “fortifying our core business, while also investing in emerging opportunities that will deliver profitable growth”.
In recent years, Ford has been investing heavily in self-driving technology and ride-sharing services.
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