- Raj Rao named Ford Smart Mobility LLC
chief executive officer; experienced transformation and growth
leader most recently led digital business model innovation at
3M
- Rao brings significant global
experience and a proven track record for innovation
- Ford Smart Mobility LLC designs,
builds, grows, and invests in new mobility services as Ford expands
its business model to be both an auto and a mobility company
Ford Motor Company is announcing today the appointment of
Rajendra “Raj” Rao as chief executive officer of Ford Smart
Mobility LLC, Ford’s subsidiary working to design, build, grow and
invest in emerging mobility services. Rao will report to Jim
Hackett, Ford Smart Mobility LLC chairman, and be based in Palo
Alto, California.
This Smart News Release features multimedia.
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Ford Motor Company is announcing today
the appointment of Rajendra “Raj” Rao as chief executive officer of
Ford Smart Mobility LLC, Ford’s subsidiary working to design,
build, grow and invest in emerging mobility services. (Photo:
Business Wire)
“Ford Smart Mobility is a significant growth opportunity for
Ford,” said Hackett. “Raj has deep experience in digital
transformation, new business model cultivation and start-up
partnerships. He is the right leader to lead the delivery of
mobility services globally and bring to life our vision to change
the way the world moves.”
As CEO, Rao will lead the creation and growth of Ford Smart
Mobility LLC’s various businesses, including the recently announced
City Solutions business, the Chariot shuttle business and
Greenfield Labs, Ford Smart Mobility LLC’s business model
incubator.
Rao: Experienced Transformational Leader
Rao has created, built and transformed businesses for iGATE
Capital, Brunswick Corporation and, most recently, 3M. As the vice
president of digital business model innovation at 3M, Rao led the
company’s Silicon Valley digital hub and Internet-of-Things
projects, based in Redwood City, California.
He was in charge of developing new business models for the
commercialization of customer solutions in the connectivity space
with a special focus on smart cities, wearables and digital
wellness. Rao also was responsible for championing ecosystem
partnerships in collaboration with Silicon Valley accelerators and
Internet-of-Things labs.
Prior to 3M, Rao led the international operations of Life
Fitness as part of the Brunswick Corporation leadership team. In
this role, Rao improved sales by nearly 35 percent and drove profit
margins from five percent to 12 percent.
During his time at Brunswick, Rao also co-created Redberri, an
open source XML-based middleware system for connecting systems not
originally designed to talk to each other. In addition, he secured
several patents for Vivo, a wireless fitness management product
used widely in the industry.
“I am energized by the opportunity to develop and grow Ford’s
new mobility businesses, leveraging the company’s inherent
strengths,” said Rao. “I have spent the better part of my career
unleashing the power that exists globally with ecommerce, connected
devices and digitization. The opportunity now to apply that
experience and passion for innovation to helping Ford change the
way the world moves is the perfect culmination.”
A native of Bangalore, India, Rao began his career as a
financial analyst at Procter & Gamble. He has significant
global experience, having worked in and led business operations in
Asia, Europe, Middle East and North America. He has a bachelor’s
degree in economics from the Shri Ram College of Commerce at Delhi
University and a master’s degree in management from Boston
University.
Ford Smart Mobility LLC: Building and Investing in New
Mobility Services
Ford Smart Mobility LLC is part of Ford’s expanded business
model to be both an auto and a mobility company. Ford Smart
Mobility LLC is working with Ford’s product development, research
and advanced engineering, marketing and data analytics teams to
develop commercially-ready mobility services and invest in
promising mobility-related ventures.
Designed to compete like a startup company, Ford Smart Mobility
LLC is designing and building mobility services on its own through
its Greenfield Labs business incubation team. It also is
collaborating with start-ups and tech companies, such as the
company’s recent acquisition of Chariot, an app-based,
crowd-sourced shuttle company, and its collaboration with Motivate
to launch Ford GoBike in San Francisco. In addition, Ford Smart
Mobility LLC has established the City Solutions team to lead
expanding mobility efforts with key cities worldwide.
Related Materials:
For biographical information and photos of Raj Rao, click
here.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company
based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 203,000 employees and 67
plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing,
manufacturing, marketing and servicing a full line of Ford cars,
trucks and utility vehicles, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. To
expand its business model, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging
opportunities with investments in electrification, autonomy and
mobility. Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor
Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its
products and services, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
For news releases, related materials and
high-resolution photos and video, visit www.media.ford.com.
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Ford Motor CompanyKaren Hampton313.390.9080khampto2@ford.com
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