Ford’s Raj Nair steps down due to 'inappropriate behaviour'

FORD is without a head of its North American operations after its president, Raj Nair, was overnight shown the door after allegations of “inappropriate behaviour” were levelled against him.

“Ford Motor Company today announced that Raj Nair, executive vice-president and president, North America, is departing from Ford effective immediately,” the company said in a statement released this morning.

“The decision follows a recent internal investigation into reports of inappropriate behaviour. The review determined certain behaviour by Nair was inconsistent with the company’s code of conduct.”

Ford global chief executive Jim Hackett said the decision to sack Nair came after a “thorough review and careful consideration”.

“Ford is deeply committed to providing and nurturing a safe and respectful culture and we expect our leaders to fully uphold these values,” he said.

Nair offered an apology as part of the official statement. “I sincerely regret that there have been instances where I have not exhibited leadership behaviors consistent with the principles that the company and I have always espoused,” he said.

“I continue to have the utmost faith in the people of Ford Motor Company and wish them continued success in the future.”

Nair was appointed to the top job in North America in June last year, replacing Joe Hinrichs. His appointment came after Hackett shook up the company’s senior management in an effort to speed up the decision-making process at the global car-making giant, and remove some of the bureaucracy that was impeding it.

Hise executive biography on the company’s website has already noted him as a former head of the North American operations. It says Nair joined Ford as an engineer in 1987 before taking up a senior role in Europe and becoming a senior vice-president of the company’s Asia Pacific operations.

Nair was in Australia last year at the same time as Ford engineers were signing off on the Ford Ranger Raptor prototype, which he drove.