Ford has new North America purchasing chief

DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. named a longtime purchasing executive to lead North America vehicle parts purchasing. Andrew Hinkly, 40, a 17-year Ford veteran, will become executive director of production purchasing for the Americas. As the top liaison to U.S. suppliers, he ranks No. 2 in Ford's $90 billion-plus purchasing organization below Tony Brown, senior vice president of global purchasing.

Hinkly replaces Jeff Engel, who is leaving the company.