Ford Taps Gioia to Head Up Global Electrification Initiatives

Ford Motor Co. names Nancy Gioia to the new position of director-global electrification as the auto maker accelerates its electric-vehicle strategy.

In her new position, Gioia, formerly Ford’s director of hybrid-electric vehicle programs, will direct planning for Ford’s global electric-vehicle portfolio. She will be responsible for product planning, supplier partnerships and collaboration with the energy industry and government.

“Broad commercialization of electric transportation will require unprecedented collaboration among all stakeholders and new ways of doing business,” Gioia say in a statement.

Ford has a number of EV projects planned, including a battery-electric Transit Connect commercial van due in 2010, and an electric Focus passenger car in 2011.

The auto maker says it is poised to take advantage of advancements in electrified vehicle technology, particularly lithium-ion batteries, while leveraging the scale of global platforms to reduce the cost of new EVs.