FORD Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan, have announced that Kumar Galhotra – currently the company’s vice president of Engineering, responsible for all Ford and Lincoln vehicles globally – will be vice president and president of Lincoln, effective Sept. 1.

The press release stated: “This new dedicated position, reporting to Ford President and CEO Mark Fields, is designed to accelerate Lincoln even further as a world-class luxury brand. Galhotra becomes the most senior leader overseeing all Lincoln operations globally, including product development; marketing, sales and service; and all team members supporting the Lincoln brand.

With a new senior leadership team, Ford President and CEO Mark Fields said: “These changes underscore our commitment to build on the success of our One Ford plan by accelerating our pace of progress. They also make clear we are serious about Lincoln as a world-class luxury brand and that product excellence and innovation are what will deliver growth and define our entire company going forward.”

The press release noted: “In being named the company’s new dedicated global Lincoln leader, Galhotra will build on the brand’s recent product and sales momentum – including its recent expansion into China. Galhotra will oversee the development of the next generation of Lincoln vehicles as well as connect them with a new generation of Lincoln clients. His focus is to build on the appeal of Lincoln not only through its distinctive vehicles but also a world-class, luxury ownership experience.”

“Now is the right time for the next chapter in accelerating Lincoln as a world-class luxury brand,” Fields said. “Kumar has more than 25 years of global product and business experience, including leading engineering for all of our Lincoln vehicles today. Being our dedicated senior Lincoln leader will serve our clients, employees and dealers extremely well going forward.”