(Yicai) May 8 -- Changan Ford Automobile, a joint venture set up by US auto giant Ford Motor and China's Changan Automobile, has appointed a new president with years of experience in the manufacturing and consumer electronics sectors but no auto industry background.

Ai Xiaoming will succeed He Xiaoqing, who will retire on June 1, Ford Motor China announced on May 6. Ahead of stepping down, He will serve as a senior consultant to aid the seamless handover to Ai, it added.

Ai has worked in China's manufacturing and consumer electronics sectors for more than 20 years, serving as senior director of Alvarez & Marsal in Shanghai, chief executive of GiantKONE Elevator, and president and CEO of Whirlpool China.

Ai has vast expertise in comprehensive corporate management and operational transformation, which will help drive Changan Ford's transition to electrification and intelligent technologies, according to the company.

Established in 2001, Changan Ford sold a record-high 957,000 units in 2016 but faced sales pressure over the following years. Its sales tumbled to 251,000 units in 2022 and 233,000 last year while also swinging into the red with a net loss of CNY2.4 billion (USD332.2 million) and CNY712 million (USD98.5 million), respectively.

Chongqing-based Changan Ford has shifted its operational focus to the new energy vehicle sector to ease its woes in China. It has launched several NEV models, but its monthly sales have stayed below 5,000 units for a long time.

Editor: Martin Kadiev