Ford Names New Global Powertrain Chief

Ford Motor Co. has appointed Andreas Schamel as global chief of powertrain, research and advanced engineering. He previously held the same titles at Ford of Europe.

Schamel will remain based in Aachen, Germany, which makes him the company's first-ever European-based powertrain boss. He reports to Chief Technical Officer Paul Mascarenas. Schamel also retains his post as joint managing director of the company's European research center in Aachen.

He succeeds Dearborn, Mich.-based Dan Kapp, who is retiring after six years in the global powertrain job.

Schamel joined Ford in 1987 in Europe. His jobs since then include U.S.-based chief engineer of engine research and advanced engineering.

Schamel led development of the company's family of turbocharged, direct-injection gasoline EcoBoost engines, which are a key element in Ford's push to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions worldwide. The company expects half the vehicles it sells in Europe to be equipped with EcoBoost engines by 2015.