Dive Brief:
- Ford Motor Co. has named Marissa West as vice president of vehicle programs, effective Nov. 16, the automaker announced in a Nov. 10 press release.
- West previously worked for General Motors for over 20 years and served as GM’s senior VP and president for North America and head of GM Canada.
- At Ford, she will lead the automaker’s vehicle program and program operations teams, supporting development, integration, program execution and global product programs across the automaker’s portfolio, per the release.
Dive Insight:
West joins Ford as it begins plans to revamp its model lineup over the next several years. The automaker expects to refresh around 70% of its global vehicle portfolio by volume by 2029, per the release. Ford is also preparing to launch its new Fathom electric truck in 2027, with a targeted MSRP below $30,000.
“I’m honored to join Ford, a company with a proud legacy and an exciting future,” West said in a statement. “I’m eager to get close to the product, collaborate with talented teams around the world and help deliver vehicles and experiences that matter to customers.”
Ford said West brings over 20 years of automotive and vehicle engineering experience to the company. Her appointment as vice president of vehicle programs will help strengthen Ford’s leadership in overseeing the development and delivery of its next generation of vehicles, per the release.
“Marissa brings deep experience leading vehicle programs, integrating complex products and delivering successful launches,” Salvatore “Sam” Basile, Ford VP of Advanced Product Development, Cycle Planning & Programs, said in a statement. “Her leadership and product-development background will be valuable as we work across teams to bring great vehicles and experiences to customers.”
West most recently served as executive vice president and chairperson for the North America business of OPmobility, a France-based Tier 1 supplier and mobility technology provider.
West stepped down as GM president of North America in August 2024 after just eight months in the role. During her long career with the automaker, she also held multiple engineering roles, including executive chief engineer for GM’s global mid-size truck and medium-duty truck programs.
