Ford went outside the auto industry for the new leader of its smart mobility enterprise in Silicon Valley.
Ford Motor Co. has gone outside the auto industry to recruit the top executive for the start-up company its creating in Silicon Valley to gain a foothold in the emerging market for “smart” mobility.
The maker tapped Rajendra “Raj” Rao to serve as chief executive officer of Ford Smart Mobility LLC, Ford’s subsidiary working to design, build, grow and invest in emerging mobility services. Rao will report to Jim Hackett, Ford Smart Mobility LLC chairman, and be based in Palo Alto, California.
“Ford Smart Mobility is a significant growth opportunity for Ford,” said Hackett. “Raj has deep experience in digital transformation, new business model cultivation and start-up partnerships. He is the right leader to lead the delivery of mobility services globally and bring to life our vision to change the way the world moves.”
Before joining Ford Smart Mobility, Rao served as the vice president of digital business model innovation at 3M in Minneapolis-St. Paul.
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At 3M, Rao led the company’s Silicon Valley digital hub and Internet-of-Things (IoT) projects based in Redwood City, California. He was in charge of developing new business models for the commercialization of customer solutions in the connectivity space with a special focus on smart cities, wearables and digital wellness.
Rao also worked with “ecosystem partnerships” with Silicon Valley accelerators and IoT labs. Prior to 3M, Rao held positions in Asia, Europe, Middle East and North America including Brunswick Corp., iGATE Capital and Proctor & Gamble.
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As CEO of Ford Smart Mobility, Rao will take responsibility for the creation and growth of the new unit’s various businesses, including the recently announced City Solutions business, the Chariot shuttle business and Greenfield Labs, Ford Smart Mobility business model incubator.
“I am energized by the opportunity to develop and grow Ford’s new mobility businesses, leveraging the company’s inherent strengths,” said Rao.
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“I have spent the better part of my career unleashing the power that exists globally with e-commerce, connected devices and digitization. The opportunity now to apply that experience and passion for innovation to helping Ford change the way the world moves is the perfect culmination.”