Ford SA CEO Jeff Nemeth recalled to the US

Ford South Africa CEO and president Jeff Nemeth has been recalled to the United States of America, it was reported on Tuesday.

The Ford boss’s recall comes in the wake of the recent Kuga scandal, which saw over 4000 Kuga SUVs recalled earlier this year following several cases of the SUVs overheating and catching fire.

In one instance, a ‘combusting’ Kuga allegedly resulted in the death of 33-year-old Reshall Jimmy, a fact the car brand has vehemently disputed.

According to Timeslive, Nemeth denied his recall was in any way associated with the safety recall, saying it had long been in place.

He explained that his contract was due to expire in June, after seven years at the helm.

Speaking of his replacement, the controversial CEO revealed that the car brand had found a replacement, Casper Kruger, who will take over the reins from April 1.

Questioned on what his new role would be within the company, Nemeth revealed that he did not know at this stage.

Meanwhile, Ford SA released a statement confirming Kruger’s appointment as managing director as well as Nemeth’s recall to the US.

The car manufacturer denied he was being fired, saying he would take up a new position in the US after overseeing the transition period.

“Kruger will join Ford’s Southern Africa leadership team and assist in overseeing Ford’s business operations in sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa and southern Africa.

“He will assume the position of managing director when current president and CEO Jeff Nemeth takes on his new position at Ford as part of his planned return to the US on July 1, 2017.”

Ford thanked Nemeth “for his exceptional commitment to developing and growing the business over the past seven years pioneering our expansion into sub-Saharan Africa”.

“During Nemeth’s tenure, he led the team through the launch of the global export programme for the locally built Ford Ranger and, more recently, local production of the Everest. Both the Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria and the Struandale Engine Plant in Port Elizabeth were expanded with multibillion-rand investments and are running at record capacities.”

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