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Ford: Shakeup At The Top, Lincoln Exec Takes Driver’s Seat

By Andrew Hulse

COLMA, CA - APRIL 28: Flags with the Ford logo are posted in front of Serramonte Ford on April 28, 2015 in Colma, California. Ford Motor Co. reported a 6.6 percent drop in first quarter earnings with net income of $924 million, or 23 cents a share, compared to $989 million, or 24 cents, one year ago. A higer than expecte tax rate and factory retooling to accomodate the new aluminum-bodied F-150 pickup contributed to the quarterly decline. The F-Series pickups accounts for 90 percent of Ford's global automotive profits. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
COLMA, CA - APRIL 28: Flags with the Ford logo are posted in front of Serramonte Ford on April 28, 2015 in Colma, California. Ford Motor Co. reported a 6.6 percent drop in first quarter earnings with net income of $924 million, or 23 cents a share, compared to $989 million, or 24 cents, one year ago. A higer than expecte tax rate and factory retooling to accomodate the new aluminum-bodied F-150 pickup contributed to the quarterly decline. The F-Series pickups accounts for 90 percent of Ford's global automotive profits. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) /
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After allegations of inappropriate conduct forced the ousting of Ford North America’s Raj Nair, the company is shaking things up at the top.

Nair was booted from the Ford N.A. top job on Wednesday after an internal investigation into inappropriate conduct found the allegations to be based in truth.  There has not been any word on what the inappropriate conduct entailed.

The company has tapped longtime company and former Lincoln North America president Kumar Galhotra to replace Nair. Galhotra has numerous accolades with Ford Motor Co. including but not limited to chief marketing officer for Ford and Group Vice President and Chief for Lincoln.

Bringing Lincoln back to its past prominence.

Kumar Galhotra is largely known in the motoring world for bringing Lincoln Motors back from the

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proverbial dead. After years of making lackluster cars that were almost indistinguishable from their much less expensive Ford counterparts.  Galhotra pushed the company back into the eyes of many enthusiasts with the wonderful Lincoln Continental Concept back in 2015.

Since that first concept, the production car has been released for purchase and while not as sleek or stealthy, is still a great continuation of the legendary nameplate.   Lincoln is also starting to get accolades for the new Navigator SUV and some of the smaller touches on its cars like jewel-like grilles.

Another feature aimed directly at the average Lincoln buyer is their Perfect Position seats which cradle the passengers and offer tons of adjustability.  Even individual sides of the seat are adjustable.

This also means a shakeup in Ford’s other companies.

This change can’t happen without many others within the group. According to the press release, these are some of the other changes that act as a shockwave to Nair’s firing. Lincoln’s new group vice president and Chief Marketing Officer will be Joy Falotico, previously of Ford Motor Credit Company.   Taking her position at Ford Credit is David McClelland who will also be VP.  This is just a small sampling of what will change, the ripples will be felt throughout Ford North America’s organization.

Next: 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe unveiled: more tech, new diesel

Here’s hoping for exciting things.

I am hopeful Galhotra can shake things up for the better at Ford.  I recently wrote about my distaste for the Edge ST performance trim.  If the company focuses on doing just a couple things very well instead of trying to be all things and spreading resources, success and sales will fall into place.  We will see what the next few years will bring.

Read the full-text of the press release here.

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