FRANK DAVIS: SEASONED DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE APPLIES ‘CAN-DO’ PERSPECTIVE TO NEW TAURUS FLAGSHIP
Frank Davis, executive director, North American Product Programs
- As executive director, North American Product Programs, Frank Davis is responsible for the product development and launches for the entire Ford North American product portfolio
- Davis has been with Ford since 1984
- He is a Detroit native
Frank Davis has been extremely busy for the past 19 months. As Executive Director, North American Product Programs, Davis is responsible for the product development and launches for the entire North American product portfolio.
Since his appointment to this role, Davis has spearheaded the launches of the 2009 Lincoln MKS, the Ford Flex, the Ford F-150 pickup, the 2010 Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid, the Mercury Milan and Milan Hybrid, the new Mustang and the new 2010 Ford Taurus.
Davis takes great pride in the reinvigoration of the iconic Taurus nameplate.
“Customers told us they want style, convenience, performance and fuel economy,” said Davis. “We’re sure the new Taurus will exceed their expectations.”
A Detroit area native, Davis received his Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Lawrence Institute of Technology, going on to earn a Master’s Degree in business administration just two years later.
Davis started at Ford in 1984 in heavy truck product development. Over the years, he contributed to powertrain programs, heavy trucks, compact pickups and Ford’s best-selling line of F-Series full-size pickups.
“My first 22 years with Ford were all about putting the ‘Built Ford Tough’ into our market-leading line of trucks and commercial vehicles,” said Davis.
He served as chief nameplate engineer for the Super Duty® truck lines and the F-150 lineup of pickup trucks, before advancing to vehicle programs director for pickup trucks and commercial vehicles. Davis’ leadership and product development savvy propelled him to be named an Automotive News “All-Star” for engineering for 2004.
Truck engineering and market success led Davis to be named vehicle programs director for all body-on-frame products, with responsibility for development and launch of all F-Series trucks and Expedition/Navigator fullsize SUV product lines.
Upon being named to his present role in the fall of 2007, Davis and his team were given the task of reinvigorating the iconic Taurus nameplate.
Senior management empowered Davis and the team to bring the designer’s vision to life with luxury levels of customer convenience technology, but to deliver for the 2010 model year – a full 12 months ahead of schedule. The team succeeded.
“With crossovers and SUVs as family vehicles, the role of the fullsize sedan has changed,” added Davis. “Now, it’s all about rewarding yourself with a sporty sedan, brimming with convenience content and technology. That’s why the new Taurus offers so much and looks and drives the way it does.”
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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 201,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.
Sept. 30, 2009
