Lyle Watters is vice president and general manager, Passenger Vehicles, Ford China, effective June 1, 2023. In this role, he is responsible for Ford branded ICE and BEV in China, and will lead Changan Ford joint venture, National Distribution Services Division (NDSD), Jiangling Ford Technologies, and Ford China operations including purchasing, manufacturing, new model launches, and quality. Watters reports to Sam Wu, president and CEO of Ford China.

Formerly, Watters was general manager, Ford Passenger Vehicle Division, Ford China, since July 1, 2021. He broadened Ford’s appeal and enhanced the customer experience with must-have products and services for China consumers.

Before the assignment in China, Watters was president, South America & International Markets Group, from May 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021. In this position, he was responsible for all Ford operations in South America and the International Markets Group. Watters had also been president, South America, since Aug. 1, 2016, and was previously chief financial officer and vice president, Finance & Strategic Planning for Ford of Europe. He served as a member of the Ford Otosan and Ford Sollers board of directors from 2012 to 2016. Prior to his service in Europe, he was chief financial officer, Ford South America, a position he assumed in October 2008.

Between October 2005 and September 2008, Watters served as director of Business Strategy at Ford of Europe, responsible for business development and strategic planning. Watters joined Ford of Britain in 1987 in finance and held various positions in Europe and North America, both in the automotive and financial services divisions. Returning from North America in 1998, he was appointed treasurer, Ford of Europe, and in 2000 he was named finance controller for Ford’s Premier Automotive Group, which included Jaguar Land Rover, Aston Martin Lagonda and Volvo Cars. In 2003, he was appointed finance controller for Global Marketing and Sales at Jaguar Land Rover.

Born in 1965, he graduated from Queens University in Belfast with an MBA in 1987.