Ford announced today that it will appoint Jost Capito to the newly-created position of Director, Global Performance Vehicles and Motorsport Business Development. Jost, who will work out of Dearborn, will take up his new position in January 2009.

Capito will be responsible for the global development of Ford’s performance vehicles and will oversee the North American SVT and European TeamRS. The SVT (managed by Jamal Hameedi) and Team RS (managed by Dirk Densing) organizations will come together to focus on the development of global Ford performance cars.

Capito, 50-years old, will also be responsible for Ford’s global motorsport business strategy and aligning Ford’s global motorsport plans and programs.