(Yicai Global) Feb. 24 -- The chief operating officer and managing director of Ford’s China arm, who has only been at the US automotive giant for less than six months, has been named as the new head of its China operations.

Sam Wu will become president and CEO of Ford China effective March 1, the Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker said on its website today. He will report directly to Ford President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Farley.

Wu replaces Ford veteran Chen Anning, who started his career at the company in 1992 and who is retiring on Oct. 1. Until his retirement, Chen will continue to work on projects to enhance Ford’s global strategic competitiveness and business growth, the firm said.

57-year-old Wu joined Ford China in October 2022 to take over the China Commercial Vehicle Division and oversee engineering, manufacturing, quality and purchasing. Before that, Wu held executive positions at other large US firms Whirlpool, Honeywell and General Electric.

“Sam’s a terrific leader with extensive multi-industry experience that’s invaluable as we move with speed to continue the remaking Ford China,” Farley said. China is the center of the EV revolution and Ford is prioritizing EVs for commercial and luxury customers there.

62-year-old Chen spent nearly 20 years at Ford before becoming chairman of Chery Jaguar Land Rover, British carmaker Jaguar Land Rover’s joint venture in China. He returned to Ford in 2018 as president and CEO. During his tenure, he was the force behind the rapid growth of Ford’s luxury brand Lincoln in China.

Editor: Kim Taylor