Quick Facts
Biography
Joseph Bakaj (born June 1962) is an engineer and former Ford executive, previously Vice President Product Development Ford of Europe until December 2018.
Early life
He was born in Wellingborough in Northamptonshire. He went to Wellingborough Grammar School, initially in 1973, which became a comprehensive in 1975, in his third year, where he took A levels. He has 2 younger sisters and there was a brother.
He gained a degree in Mechanical Engineering from City University London.
Career
He joined Ford of Britain in 1985.
Ford of Europe
In 2000 he was vehicle engineering manager for the Ford Mondeo (second generation).
From September 2005 he worked in Product Development for Ford of Europe, overseeing the development of the Ford S-Max in 2006, and the Ford Kuga in 2007, and the sixth generation of the Ford Fiesta in 2008.
In April 2008 he became Vice President of Global Product Programs and of Product Development for Ford worldwide.
From January 2011 until 2013 he was Vice President for Powertrain Engineering, overseeing powertrain development worldwide for Ford, mainly the direct-injection turbocharged 1.6 litre and 2.0 litre Ford EcoBoost engines.
On 1 November 2013 he became Vice President of Product Development of Ford of Europe.
He worked at the John-Andrews Entwicklungszentrum at the Merkenich Technical Centre, Ford Germany in Cologne (Köln), North Rhine-Westphalia.
He left the company in December 2018.
Personal life
He is married with one child. He speaks fluent German. Bakaj is an Albanian surname.
