Ford Expands Middle East & North Africa Operations with New Leadership and Strategic Integration

Ford Motor Company has announced a sweeping regional realignment aimed at reinforcing its presence and leadership across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This strategic move includes the reintegration of North Africa into Ford’s MENA operations, enhanced leadership appointments, and a renewed emphasis on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a regional hub.

In a significant organizational update, Ford revealed that its Riyadh office will now oversee operations for North Africa, Qatar, and the Levant. The move underscores the company’s intention to streamline regional operations and respond more swiftly to local market demands.

Leadership Restructure to Drive Regional Growth

As part of the reshuffle, Ramzy Hadi has been named Managing Director for Ford Middle East and North Africa, effective June 1, 2025. Hadi, who joined Ford in 2010 and previously served as Field Operations Manager, will now lead regional strategy, distributor partnerships, and operational oversight.

Amith Shetty, previously Country Director for Saudi Arabia, will expand his responsibilities as Regional Director for Saudi Arabia and North Africa, signaling a tighter integration of emerging markets under unified leadership.

Khodr Dahoud takes over as Regional Manager of Sales, North Africa, where he will focus on boosting sales performance and market share.

Further strengthening after-sales service across the region, Ford also appointed:

• Nicolas Lory as Aftersales Director, Middle East & North Africa

• Hamzeh Shalan as Aftersales Lead, Saudi Arabia & North Africa

"Ford’s long-standing commitment to the Middle East and North Africa—and to customers who have trusted the Ford and Lincoln brands for many decades—remains as strong as ever," said Ravi Ravichandran, President of Ford Middle East and North Africa. "We are welcoming North Africa back into the fold and empowering our top leaders to deliver enhanced value and service."

Strategic Expansion in Saudi Arabia

Ford’s expanded operations in Riyadh reflect the company’s enduring ties with Saudi Arabia, dating back to the 1940s when Aramco began using Ford vehicles. In 2018, the automaker appointed Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors (MYNM) as a second distributor alongside Al Jazirah Vehicles Agencies to broaden reach and improve service accessibility.

The Riyadh office will now function as a central hub, hosting teams dedicated to Saudi Arabia, the Levant, Qatar, and North Africa. This expansion is designed to enhance regional agility and customer responsiveness.

Record Sales and Operational Enhancements

After a record-breaking 2024, Ford Middle East continued its strong performance into 2025, reporting a 23% year-on-year increase in Q1 sales, solidifying its status as a leading original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in the region.

Complementing its regional expansion is Ford’s new Parts Distribution Center in Dubai, a 41,792-square-meter facility that supports approximately 100,000 different parts. This state-of-the-art center has significantly improved parts availability and delivery timelines, almost doubling Ford’s parts distribution capacity in MENA since 2011.

These developments reflect Ford’s ongoing efforts to localize operations, enhance customer satisfaction, and deliver innovative automotive solutions tailored to the MENA region’s evolving needs.