Ford and Changan Automobile jointly announced top management for the newly established National Distribution Services Division (NDSD) as part of the Changan Ford (CAF) joint venture. The new division starts operations on 1 July.
Appointed by Ford and Changan Automobile, Henry Li will be president, NDSD, and Cao Zhenyu executive vice president.
"Pending final approval from the CAF board of directors, these appointments mark a new milestone in Ford's 'In China For China' strategy by strengthening its leadership with more top local talent," the US automaker said in a statement.
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Ford said Li, 50, "brings considerable knowledge and insight to Ford's brand, partners, dealers and customers. At his previous company, Li built a highly efficient, profitable and sustainable distribution network in China".
"[Li's] rich industry experience and deep understanding of the Chinese market and customer make him the absolute best person to lead the NDSD," said Peter Fleet who heads Ford Asia Pacific operations and is also chairman and CEO of Ford China.
"This appointment and the establishment of the NDSD further demonstrates our strong commitment to China, and to our partnership, by offering a tested talent to lead a simplified, improved and consistent approach to our Ford brand and customers in this critical market."
Li has 26 years of marketing and sales experience in China's auto industry. Prior to joining Ford in May as VP of marketing and sales, Ford Greater China, he was senior executive VP of Beijing Mercedes-Benz Sales Service Company where he headed a team that saw China become the largest single market for the company globally, and established a highly efficient, profitable national distribution network, achieving a monthly sales year-on-year increase for 59 consecutive months.
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By GlobalDataZhenyu, 44, currently is executive deputy general manager of CAF Sales Branch Company and has 20 years' experience in sales and customer relations. Before CAF, he held many management positions in CA, including deputy general manager of Changan Passenger Vehicles Sales Business Unit; executive deputy general manager of Changan Passenger Vehicles Sales Business Unit; executive deputy general manager of Changan Overseas Business Development Department and general manager of Changan International Sales Company.
"As one of the pioneers who established the marketing and sales function for Changan's passenger vehicles, Zhenyu participated in and witnessed the extensive growth of the passenger vehicle business," said Zhang Baolin, deputy general manager of China South Industries Group, chairman of Changan Automobile and chairman of Changan Ford Motor.
"His extensive knowledge and experience in marketing and sales fields will propel the Changan-Ford National Distribution Services Division to the next level. The strategic alignment between Changan Automobile and Ford Motor Company to establish NDSD in China demonstrates a stronger long-term partnership between both parties."
NDSD will progressively assume responsibility for the marketing, sales and service of all Ford brand passenger vehicles sold in China, replacing the current CAF sales company.
Li and [Zhenyu] will work closely together to play a significant role in launching and running NDSD, simplifying the dealership experience for Chinese customers and offering them more choices in one place," Ford said.
