Ford Motor Company has handed the keys to its next-generation fleet to veteran engineer Marissa West. She takes charge on November 16. Her title: Vice President of Vehicle Programs. The mandate is massive—and immediate. Ford is racing against a self-imposed deadline to refresh 70% of its global vehicle portfolio by volume by 2029. That means nearly three out of every four vehicles rolling off Ford assembly lines will be redesigned, re-engineered, or replaced within five years. For prospective buyers tracking what arrives in showrooms, West's desk is where those blueprints become steel and software.
She takes direct command of Ford's vehicle programme and programme operations teams. Her purview spans vehicle development and integration, programme execution, and global product rollouts across the carmaker's entire worldwide portfolio. She will steer the teams tasked with engineering and delivering the company's next crop of passenger vehicles and commercial platforms.
West's experience in vehicle programmes, product integration and vehicle launches will support the company's product development and execution plans.
Sam Basile, Ford Vice President of Advanced Product Development, Cycle Planning & Programs
Basile's endorsement reflects the pressure bearing down on Detroit. Automakers face punishing engineering cycles as they juggle complex powertrain transitions alongside traditional internal combustion platforms. West brings more than 20 years of automotive engineering and commercial management to the role, with a track record concentrated on vehicle programs, mechanical integration, and factory-floor launches.
| Executive Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Appointed Executive | Marissa West |
| New Title | Vice President of Vehicle Programs, Ford Motor Company |
| Effective Date | November 16 |
| Portfolio Overhaul Target | 70% of global vehicle portfolio by volume by 2029 |
| Prior Role | Executive Vice President & Chairperson for North America, OP Mobility |
| Former OEM Tenure | Senior Vice President & President for North America, General Motors |
Before accepting the Ford post, West served as executive vice president and chairperson of North American operations at automotive supplier OP Mobility. Yet the core of her industry stature was forged inside General Motors. During her tenure there, she scaled the ranks across vehicle sales, service, marketing, and core product development, culminating in senior leadership roles as GM's senior vice president and president for North America.
She entered the industry from the engineering bench. West holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan State University and earned a master's degree in engineering from the University of Michigan. Now, her technical background meets Ford's 2029 product calendar. All eyes turn to November 16, when West officially takes the helm to begin translating Ford's cycle plans into showroom reality.
| Academic Credentials | BS Mechanical Engineering (Michigan State), MS Engineering (Univ. of Michigan) |