By creating the unprecedented position of Managing Director of Passenger Cars and appointing Christian Weingaertner to it, Ford of Europe is further structuring its strategy in a market that is undergoing radical change. This decision, which will take effect from February 1, illustrates the manufacturer’s determination to give its passenger cars a clearer direction, against a backdrop of accelerated electric vehicle transition and decisive industrial partnerships.
Strategic appointment at a pivotal moment
Ford of Europe has officially announced the appointment of Christian Weingaertner as Managing Director for passenger cars. This newly-created position is intended to strengthen the strategic coherence of the passenger car offering on the continent, at a time when the American manufacturer is seeking to boost its appeal among European motorists. Through this appointment, Ford aims to clarify its governance and better steer the development of its future models.
Jim Baumbick, President of Ford of Europe, praised Weingaertner’s strategic and operational expertise and emphasised its ability to ensure that future vehicles remain « unmistakably Ford », despite profound changes in architecture and production methods. As part of the new organisation, Hans Schep will continue to head up Ford Pro Europe’s commercial vehicle business, while Jon Williams will remain in charge of sales in Europe, confirming a clear separation of the perimeters.
Weingaertner, strategy and transformation
Christian Weingaertner, 42, joined Ford in 2020 after more than a decade at the Boston Consulting Group, where he specialised in the automotive industry. He joined the American carmaker via strategy, autonomous vehicles and mobility in Europe, before moving on to operational management roles, including heading up the German, Austrian and Swiss markets between 2022 and 2025.
Since January 2025, he has held the position of Vice President, European Business Transformation, a key role in the reorganisation of Ford’s business model on the continent. This internal career path, combining strategic vision and leadership of major markets, explains the logic of his promotion. His academic background, marked by a Master’s degree in Technology and Management in Munich and a Doctorate in Economics in Zurich, reinforces his profile as a transformation-oriented executive.
Affordable electrics on the roadmap
Christian Weingaertner’s appointment comes at a time when Ford is accelerating its move towards electric vehicles in Europe. Ford recently announced a strategic partnership with Renault to develop two affordable electric vehicles based on a dedicated platform. The aim of this industrial alliance is to reduce development costs while responding to increasingly price-sensitive demand in Europe.
However, this strategy comes against a backdrop of social and industrial tensions. Ford has announced that it will cut around 4,000 jobs in Europe by 2027, including a significant proportion at the Cologne site. Weingaertner will therefore have to rationalise costs, relaunch the passenger car range and preserve the brand’s identity, in an environment where every industrial decision is scrutinised.
Alignment with Ford’s global priorities
In his previous role, Christian Weingaertner reported directly to John Lawler, Ford’s Group Chief Financial Officer, illustrating the importance attached to the financial alignment of strategic decisions. This hierarchical continuity reflects Ford’s determination to maintain strong economic discipline in the deployment of its European strategy.
By entrusting the passenger car business to an executive from the company’s internal transformation, Ford of Europe is sending out a clear signal: winning back the passenger car market requires a structured vision, targeted alliances and rigorous execution. Christian Weingaertner’s mission will now be to turn this ambition into concrete results, in a European electric vehicle market that is more competitive than ever.
