A top Ford Motor Company executive was fired on Wednesday after an internal investigation found his behavior was “inconsistent with the company’s code of conduct”.
In an announcement, the company said Raj Nair, a longtime Ford executive who was president for North America, was leaving the company immediately.
Ford did not give any details on what that behavior entailed. His departure comes after several high-profile business leaders have quit or been fired following accusations of sexual misconduct.
“We made this decision after a thorough review and careful consideration,” said Ford’s chief executive, Jim Hackett, in a statement. “Ford is deeply committed to providing and nurturing a safe and respectful culture and we expect our leaders to fully uphold these values.
Nair apologized, without elaborating.
“I sincerely regret that there have been instances where I have not exhibited leadership behaviors consistent with the principles that the Company and I have always espoused,” Nair said in Ford’s statement.
A spokesman for the second-largest US automaker said the company would not comment on the nature of Nair’s behavior beyond what was in its official statement.
Nair was appointed to his current position last May when Hackett became CEO. Nair previously served as Ford’s chief technical officer.
Last year, women at Ford’s Chicago assembly plant told the New York Times they had been subject to sexual harassment and that their complaints had been met with hostility and inaction.
Hackett condemned the harassers. “There is absolutely no room for harassment at Ford Motor Company,” he said. “We don’t want you here, and we will move you out for engaging in any behavior like this.”
