Ford Names New Global Purchasing Chief

Hau Thai-Tang, will become Ford Motor Co.'s group vice president for global purchasing on Aug. 1.

He will succeed Tony Brown, who plans to retire after 11 years in the position.

Thai-Tang is currently vice president of engineering for global product development for the Ford and Lincoln brands. In his new job, he will report to COO Mark Fields.

Thai-Tang's past jobs included stints heading the company's global engineering operations in Europe, North America and South America. That experience will enable him to bring a geographically unified approach to purchasing, according to Ford.