11:26 am, July 29, 2026
Ford has appointed former Stellantis UK boss Maria Grazia Davino as vice president of sales for Ford of Europe.
Davino, who most recently served as regional managing director of BYD Europe, will take up the role on October 1 and will oversee Ford’s retail operations, dealer network and distribution across Europe.
She will report directly to Jim Baumbick, president of Ford of Europe, and will be based at the company’s European headquarters in Cologne, Germany.
Ford said the appointment forms part of efforts to strengthen its leadership team as it continues transforming its European business and prepares a major passenger car product offensive.
Alongside expanding its market-leading Ford Pro commercial vehicle business, the manufacturer plans to launch five new passenger vehicle models in Europe by 2029.
Davino – pictured above during her time at Stellantis – brings more than 20 years of automotive industry experience to the role.
Before joining BYD Europe, where she led operations across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and the Nordic countries, she spent more than a decade at Stellantis.
Her most recent role there was as group managing director and chief executive of Stellantis UK, where she oversaw the company’s transition towards electric vehicles. She also previously held senior European sales and marketing roles and led Stellantis businesses in Switzerland, Austria, Germany and the UK.
Davino began her automotive career with Lamborghini in 2003.
Jim Baumbick, president of Ford of Europe, said: ‘Maria Grazia is a highly accomplished leader with deep expertise across the European automotive landscape.
‘Her track record of building high-performing teams and building strong customer and dealer relationships will be invaluable as we continue to grow our business in Europe.’