Ford News: Jost Capito Has Left The Building *Updated*

[William Maley]

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William Maley

Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

March 29, 2012

Jost Capito, Ford's director of Global Performance Vehicles is leaving according to Car & Driver. The reason as to why Capito is leaving Ford is unknown.

“We thank Jost Capito for his contributions on the company’s performance vehicles and motorsports plan. We wish him well as he begins a new chapter in his career,” said a Ford Spokesman in a written statement.

Capito during his eleven-year tenure over at Ford oversaw the performance divisions in Europe and the U.S. From 2001 - 2009, Capito was the head Ford's RS division. He oversaw development of first and second generation Focus RS and motorsports efforts. After 2009, Capito was promoted to director of Global Performance Vehicles where he played a role in the resurgence of Ford's SVT Group. Vehicles like the Raptor, GT500, and the upcoming Focus and Fiesta ST were done under his watch.

The question now is will Ford's SVT group continue on with this roll of dynamic and exciting vehicles or will we enter a dry spell.

Source: Car & Driver

UPDATE: We now know where Jost Capito is heading to. On May 1st, he will become the head of Volkswagen Motorsport. In his new role, Capito will oversee Volkswagen's WRC effort.

Press Release is on Page 2

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JOST CAPITO TO HEAD VOLKSWAGEN MOTORSPORT

Wolfsburg, March 29, 2012 – Jost Capito (53) is to head Volkswagen Motorsport effective May 1, 2012. He takes over from Kris Nissen (51), who will support his successor during the transition phase and subsequently assist the Group in an advisory capacity.

Jost Capito moves to the Volkswagen Group from Ford Motor Company USA. He has decades of experience in motorsport; among other things, he was involved in Formula 1 and was also co-pilot and winner in the truck category of the Paris-Dakar Rally. The engineering graduate began his career in 1984 as a development engineer for BMW's high-performance engines. Capito joined Porsche in 1989, first heading the Porsche Carrera Cup Organisation and later overseeing all Porsche brand racing championship campaigns. He held executive posts at Sauber Petronas Engineering from 1996 to 2001 and was Chief Operating Officer of the Sauber Red Bull Formula 1 team from 1998. Capito moved to Ford at the end of 2001 where he latterly held responsibility for Ford's global performance vehicle business and for motorsports strategy.

Kris Nissen (51) has been Director of Volkswagen Motorsport since 2003 and won important motorsport victories for Volkswagen during his tenure. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen brand with responsibility for 'Development', thanked Nissen for his achievements: "Mr. Nissen has taken Volkswagen Motorsport a long way forward and led the Motorsport team during the most successful phase in its history so far. He was instrumental in Volkswagen's double victory at the 2009 Dakar Rally and helped write motorsport history with the one-two-three podium finishes in 2010 and 2011."

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