Ford has named former Renault group executive Franck Louis-Victor as head of the company’s new businesses platform.
Louis-Victor, 48, will start with Ford on 1 July and will be accountable for developing and executing a comprehensive strategic plan that includes the company’s existing and emerging portfolio of capabilities in areas like autonomous vehicles and mobility services, as well as the incubator, Ford X.
“We’re accelerating development of disruptive technologies and focusing on being a leader in areas that enhance always-on relationships with customers and give them increasing freedom of movement,” said Ford president and CEO Jim Farley.
“Franck’s got great experience that will help his team nurture new ideas through the start-up phase with the best opportunities launched on their own or integrated into our business units.”
Louis-Victor has 20 years of experience in data and mobility startups, connected vehicles, and new services within both long-established companies and enterprises that he founded and ran.
He previously oversaw development and implementation of new business models and revenue streams at Renault, including an augmented multimedia system that brought together startups to design and develop new technology and services for vehicle platforms and artificial intelligence.
Scott Griffith, CEO of the autonomous vehicles and mobility businesses, will report to Louis-Victor after serving as the interim head of new businesses.
Louis-Victor was also alliance global director, connected vehicles cloud and services for the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance for nearly three years from 2016.
He spent several years in mobility and automotive startups after beginning his career in information technology in France in 1998.