Jim Baumbick is the new president of Ford Europe

Jim Baumbick is appointed President, Ford Europe, effective Nov. 1. In this role, Baumbick, who most recently served as vice president, Advanced Product Development, Cycle Planning and Programs, will lead the strategic direction for the company’s European business unit. Baumbick will report to Ford Vice Chair John Lawler. Baumbick has served in a variety of roles at Ford, including as global head of product development. 

Who’s Jim Baumbick, President of Ford Europe

Baumbick joined Ford in 1993 as a Ford College Graduate. Since then, he has served in a variety of roles core to the product development process, including financial and profit analysis, engineering, product planning and program management, as well as operations. 

Previously at Ford, Baumbick was vice president, Industrial Platform, Operations and New Model Launch, Ford Blue, and, before that, vice president, Enterprise Product Line Management. In the latter, he was responsible for global product strategy and planning as well as leading the global product line teams. Baumbick also formerly served as executive director of Global Product Planning and Strategy, where he led the development of the company’s flexible modular architecture approach and new capital allocation and cycle planning processes to prioritize winning businesses to support the company’s overall fitness efforts.

Ford has recently renovated the entire range of commercial vehicles, now under the Ford Pro brand. Electric versions are now available, as well as plug-in hybrid versions in some cases. The U.S.-based manufacturer, however, is facing quite a difficult time due to the current issues affecting the automotive industry, not only in Europe. New president Jim Baumbick needs to deal with such issues, as well.