Ford is laying the last cornerstone in a series of organizational changes for its Ford+ growth plan, creating an effective and efficient end-to-end global industrial system as the operational engine behind all Ford vehicles.

Ford has chosen a new senior leader to drive its rigorous and relentless pursuit of high quality, simplicity and low costs on behalf of customers and other stakeholders. John Dion will join the company as chief transformation officer on April 3, reporting to Ford CEO Jim Farley.

Ford China announced today that Anning Chen has elected to retire from the company and that Sam Wu, who currently serves as managing director and COO, Ford China, will succeed him as president and CEO of the business.

The planned retirement of an accomplished and respected longtime Ford executive is prompting a leadership change in the company’s regional organization that builds some of the industry’s most iconic and breakthrough vehicles.

Brian Schaaf, chief financial officer, treasurer and executive vice president, Strategy, of Ford Motor Credit Company, has elected to retire, effective Dec. 1, after a 33-year career at Ford Motor Company and Ford Credit. Eliane Okamura was named to succeed Schaaf, effective Dec. 1.

Sam Wu, a top operating leader in Asia for several major global companies across a broad range of industries, is joining Ford China on Oct. 1 in the new role of managing director and chief operating officer.

Ford Motor Company today is accelerating the Ford+ plan for growth and value creation with key leadership changes to support the development of breakthrough electric vehicles at scale, strengthen its internal combustion product line and transform the company’s global supply chain management.

Two highly respected Ford Motor Company senior leaders – Hau Thai-Tang and Frederiek Toney – have announced they will retire later this year, and Ford said Dave Bozeman is joining the company to help advance the Ford+ plan after successful tenures at Amazon, Caterpillar and Harley-Davidson.

Ford is further strengthening its leadership team – hiring two highly regarded executives and giving a significant global operating role to an accomplished longtime senior colleague – as it continues to execute the customer focused Ford+ plan for growth and value creation.

Ford is taking another significant step to accelerate the transformation of its European business and create an entirely fresh product line of electric vehicles and mobility services that are redefining what it means to own and drive Ford.