Ford Motor Co. on Friday said it has added a former General Motors Co. executive to lead its product development, among a number of other executive changes.

Jim Baumbick, vice president of advanced product development, cycle planning and program, will lead the strategic direction of Ford Europe as its president starting Nov. 1. Replacing him on Oct. 13 is Sam Basile, GM's former vice president of global product programs.

Additionally, Bryce Currie, vice president of manufacturing for the Americas, takes on an expanded role covering global manufacturing and safety as chief manufacturing officer. Andrew Frick, president of Ford Blue and Model e, also will add luxury brand Lincoln's global retail business to his responsibilities, though Lincoln President Joaquin Nuño-Whelan will continue in his role and report to Frick.

Disruption has been a consistent factor for the automotive industry as of late. A fire at an aluminum plant in New York has rattled the supply chain, especially at Ford, which uses the metal to make the bodies of its best-selling F-Series pickups. U.S. tariffs continue to create uncertainty. The Trump administration's rollback on what the president considered an "EV mandate" could halve electric vehicle sales. Ford is in the midst of a restructuring in Europe as it focuses on its commercial business there.

"These global leadership appointments," Ford CEO Jim Farley said in a statement, "underscore our relentless commitment to building a truly world-class team across Ford, united by a singular focus: delivering product excellence and quality for our customers globally."

Basile last worked at GM in 2023 and since has been in private consulting, according to his LinkedIn. He collected three decades of experience at GM, including globally in China, South Korea and Europe. He'll report to Ford Chief Operating Officer Kumar Galhotra. Baumbick in Europe will work with leaders in the region, oversee product development for that market and and drive cost savings. He'll report to Vice Chair John Lawler.

Ford also shared the retirements of Chuck Gray, vice president of vehicle hardware engineering, and Darren Palmer, vice president of EV programs.

Gray, who contributed to Ford's industrial system, retires Dec. 1. Charles Poon, director of electrified propulsion engineering, will succeed him, making the transition starting Nov. 1. He'll report to Galhotra.

Palmer was a founding member of Team Edison, which has evolved into the Model e EV division and launched Ford's all-electric models: the Mustang Mach-E SUV, F-150 Lightning pickup and E-Transit commercial van. His retirement takes effect Nov. 1.

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