Filed under: Euro, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Ford
Ford names new head of SVT and TeamRS, performance models to be developed globally
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Focus RS
Ford's goal of designing products to be sold both Stateside and abroad could finally include some of its hottest European offerings with the appointment of Jost Capito to the newly-created position of director of global performance vehicles and motorsports business development.
While we've had to adore models like the Focus RS from abroad, Capito's new gig overseeing and consolidating both the North American Special Vehicle Team (SVT) and the European TeamRS means that crosspollination between the two performance brands is assured.Capito -- a Dakar Rally veteran and former engineer for BMW and Porsche -- has been with Ford of Europe since October of 2001, and managed Ford's European motorsport and performance vehicle programs from 2003 through 2007. During that time, he was instrumental in Ford's WRC campaign and helped to bring the Fiesta ST, Focus ST and Focus RS to market. Capito will be moving from the UK to Dearborn, Michigan before he takes the reigns in January next year, and we're hoping to secure some time with the new exec to hear his plans for the future of Ford's performance products.
Gallery: 2009 Ford Focus RS (green)
Gallery: Ford Fiesta ST Mountune
PRESS RELEASE
FORD ANNOUNCES SENIOR MANAGEMENT CHANGES TO STRENGTHEN GLOBAL PERFORMANCE VEHICLES STRATEGY
- Jost Capito is appointed Director, Global Performance Vehicles and Motorsport Business Development
- Jost will be based in Dearborn, USA, and will report to Hermann Salenbauch, Director Advanced Product Creation and Performance Vehicles, and Brian Wolfe , Director North America Motor Sports
- Ford's North American Special Vehicle Team (SVT) led by Jamal Hameedi, Chief Nameplate Engineer, and Kerry Baldori, Chief Functional Engineer will report to Capito in his new role
- Ford of Europe's performance vehicle operations will be managed by Dirk Densing, who will continue to be based in Cologne, Germany, and report to Capito and, depending on vehicle, the relevant Vehicle Line Director based in Cologne
In his new role, Capito will be responsible for the global development of Ford's performance vehicles business. The North American SVT and European TeamRS performance vehicle organizations will come together, both reporting to Capito, to focus on the development of global performance vehicles, and the implementation of consistent vehicle attributes and DNA in future Ford performance models.
Additionally, Capito will assume responsibility for global motorsport business strategy and aligning Ford's global motorsport plans and programs. He will lead the development of motorsport opportunities for Ford's future global car products around the world, advising and working closely with the company's regional Motorsports directors.
Jost Capito joined Ford of Europe in October 2001 as director of Special Vehicle Engineering. Between 2003 and 2007, he assumed responsibility for Ford of Europe's motorsport and performance vehicle programs, leading the company's successful World Rally Championship efforts and winning Manufacturers' Championship titles for the BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally team in 2006 and 2007. In November 2007, Capito was appointed Vehicle Line Director for Ford of Europe's Performance Vehicles, and since then has led the development of the eagerly-awaited new Focus RS road car which will be launched in Europe in the first quarter of 2009. He was also responsible for European Fiesta ST and Focus ST performance models.
Jost Capito is 50 years old, and currently lives with his family in the UK. In his new position, he will relocate to Ford's World Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan.
"Performance vehicles and motorsport have been important to Ford since the company was founded more than a century ago. With Jost's immense experience in both areas, performance vehicles and motorsport, we expect that tradition to continue and be strengthened within our One Ford strategy," said Hermann Salenbauch, Director of Advanced Product Creation and Performance Vehicles, Ford Motor Company.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Alex 4:22PM (12/04/2008)
Who needs bailouts? Just bring those bad-ass hot hatches over!
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dkw 4:39PM (12/04/2008)
.... probably because even if it was here right now, there are many people who would buy it, but with the current credit situation, people can't get financed for them.
No financing = no sales = no revenue = bad news for the company.
Yeah, I agree, this should have come over sooner, but hindsight is always 20-20, and we have to admit trucks and SUV's were selling very well.
final note: NICE CARS!!!
Randy 5:40PM (12/04/2008)
Can I get an Amen?
Zoran 6:46PM (12/04/2008)
Yeah, because bringing European cars worked so well for Saturn ...
Jason 11:29AM (12/05/2008)
Saturn sales are hurting because America's view of Saturn hasn't changed from their older cars.
Randy 10:04PM (12/04/2008)
Saturn and Ford are light years apart... budum bum
No comparison! Euro Fords (as 99.999999999%) of everyone on this site agree, "completely rule".
Jakesnake1294 5:48AM (12/05/2008)
Quote: Yeah, because bringing European cars worked so well for Saturn ...
I moved to Switzerland from the States a couple of years ago. I can't count the number of times while driving along, seeing a car, and thinking to myself "That's a sharp looking car, what is it? Holy S**t! It's a ford!"
I had to point out the blue oval on a Mondeo to get my wife to believe it was a ford.
I sat in all the fords at the Geneva auto show and became sad when noticing the differences in interior design and quality. Why hast thou forsaken America,ford?! It is like having a father who buys ice cream for the neighbor kids, and will only give his own children turnips.
Ford's argument on this is that they can charge more money in Europe than they could in America. With all of the blunder cars they have hoisted on America in the past, Why not take a chance and see what happens. Could it turn out any worse than the other failures? Hopefully the Global market Fiesta will open some eyes.
The main thing that keeps me out of an American small car is that they only come with crap interiors. I love the idea of buying a Chevy Cobalt SS. Super fast, Super handling, but an interior from K mart.
SimbaDogg 12:26AM (12/06/2008)
i dont think i've ever said this about any domestic hatches or even sports compacts for that matter...but that thing is HOT. not exactly my color (yuck, too flashy) but i'd honestly think about taking one in black, white or a dark blue if i were a few years younger. Shiet...now that i think about it, i'd think about taking one period if the price were right.
Red 4:24PM (12/04/2008)
Bring it on. Preferably in something other than Electric Green, which isn't bad, just doesn't suit me personally.
Kinda funny, Ford, GM (Chevy) and Chrysler (Dodge) will compete with the muscle-cars and the mini muscle cars. Should be interesting for fans of domestic pocket-rockets.
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B 4:25PM (12/04/2008)
Focus RS for the states!!! I wish. If They do I will buy.
However Its a safe bet we will end up with something stupid. So sad.... Ford makes some of the baddest cars for everyone but the US. How american to cock block their own people.
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geo.stewart 5:04PM (12/04/2008)
Let's be fair, the hot compact market was not underserved, there just wasnt much justification, and not much demand. Until video games and the internet took off, their wasnt much exposure to Euro models except for true enthusiasts and face it, we're not that big of a demographic.
SUVs selling like hotcakes with tons of profit $$ per sale. Why focus (NPI) on compact class?
I know Mercury has been somewhat successful with the woman-oriented thing but using Mercury as a Euro performance arm would have been awesome, Ford could have been bringing these over for a few years as a Mercury Tracer since the upgraded interiors and shipping costs would have brought the price over Ford selling levels.
Cant blame them for being a little gunshy after teh failure of Merkur.
naggs 4:26PM (12/04/2008)
NICE,
3 door fiesta rs will be my next car if it has a turbo and a LSD
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Biz 4:27PM (12/04/2008)
Yay! That RS really is one hell of a good looking hatch.
Wow, I can't believe I just said that
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nardvark 4:33PM (12/04/2008)
Any idea if these will be sold under the SVT moniker stateside?
I don't know if "RS" means anything to the American consumer.
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Will 4:42PM (12/04/2008)
Except Camaro and Impreza trim levels that no longer exist.
Seriously though, if you put those screaming green, sizzling quick Foci on our streets, "RS Ford" would suddenly gain meaning in the U.S. in a big ol' hurry.
Paul P. 4:39PM (12/04/2008)
Does this mean Hau Thai-Tang is out now?
Anyway, this press release increases my growing suspicion that the "surprise" ford has in store for us at the Detroit auto show is the 2010 Mustang Cobra/GT500.
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GTX141 5:32PM (12/04/2008)
Hau has been in Brazil for a little while now with Ford.
Jam 4:48PM (12/04/2008)
If only it was still 4wd...
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Peter 5:18PM (12/04/2008)
Completely agree, especially if Ford wants to capitalize on it's WRC success (Manufacturers Champion last few years), not to mention compete with Mitsu Evo and Subaru STi.
In the 90's, the cosworth siblings (Escort and Sierra) had all-wheel drive.
Ben 4:49PM (12/04/2008)
Wicked cool!!! This will renew my love for fast Fords and the RS Focus.
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