Ford of Europe has hired long-time Audi sales executive Martin Sander to oversee its passenger cars division.
Sander, 54, will take over from Roelant de Waard, who retired at the end of last year, Ford said in a statement on Monday.
Sander, who was previously Audi's head of sales for Europe, will start his new role on June 1. He will report to Stuart Rowley, Ford of Europe president.
Sander will be based in Cologne, Germany, where Ford will build its first full-electric vehicle, which is based on Volkswagen Group's MEB platform, starting in 2023.
Sander, who has a degree in mechanical engineering, joined Audi in 1995 as a project sales manager in Germany.
His roles at the German premium brand included director of sales for northern Europe, Audi Canada CEO, head of Audi UK and head sales in the Americas, including the U.S.
Sander's assignments combine two senior leadership positions.
He will also be in charge of Ford's German operations, including its car plants in Cologne and Saarlouis. He takes over the role from Ford veteran Gunnar Herrmann, who also retired at the end of last year.
