The new position will combine the role of chair of Ford-Werke GmbH in Germany and General Manager of passenger vehicles for Europe, effective from June 1 and based in Cologne.

Sander, who was born in Germany and is currently based in Ingolstadt, was previously senior vice-president of Sales in Europe for Audi, following a 25-year career at Volkswagen Group.

Sander's predecessors, Roeland de Waard and Gunnar Herrmann, will retire as announced at the end of last year.

(Reporting by Victoria Waldersee; Editing by Maria Sheahan)