Maria Grazia Davino has been appointed as the vice president of sales for Ford of Europe, effective October 1, 2026, according to an official company announcement. Based at the automaker’s facility in Cologne, Germany, Davino will manage regional sales operations and commercial activities, reporting directly to Ford of Europe President Jim Baumbick.
Leadership Experience in the European Automotive Sector
Davino brings over two decades of automotive industry experience to Ford, specializing in sales, marketing, and business transformation. According to corporate records, she most recently served as the regional managing director for BYD Europe. In that role, she directed operations across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and the Nordic countries.
Prior to her tenure at BYD, Davino spent more than ten years in senior executive positions at Stellantis. Her roles there included serving as group managing director and CEO of Stellantis UK, where she oversaw complex operations and guided the company’s electric vehicle transition. Earlier in her career with Stellantis, she managed sales and marketing portfolios covering Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and the United Kingdom, after beginning her automotive career at Lamborghini Automotive in 2003.
Ford’s European Strategy and Commercial Focus
The appointment supports Ford’s broader strategic initiatives in the European market, which center on two main pillars: commercial vehicles and passenger cars. According to Ford’s corporate announcements, the company maintains a market leadership position in Europe through Ford Pro, its commercial vehicle division. Concurrently, the automaker plans to introduce five new passenger vehicle models into European showrooms by 2029.
“Maria Grazia is a leader of great experience, with a deep knowledge of the European automotive landscape,” Jim Baumbick, president of Ford of Europe, stated in the company release. “Her proven competence in building high-performing teams and managing solid customer and dealer relationships will be precious for our constant growth in Europe.”
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