Rip rpj

[simon varley]

can't see that this is posted elsewhere which surprises me a little. apologies if it is a double post. Perhaps Richard isn't as well known here as he is in Europe, but without him we wouldn't have had many of the great cars we have seen over the last 20 years

Remembering Former Product Development Executive Richard Parry-Jones
Apr-17-2021 8 8


Ford Global Product Development Executive Richard Parry-Jones, a gifted engineer who was instrumental in the evolution of some of Ford’s most iconic vehicles, has died at the age of 69.

Parry-Jones served as group vice president of global product development for nearly a decade, from 1998 through his retirement in 2007, a period when the company’s umbrella of brands included Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Jaguar, Volvo, Land Rover and Aston Martin. He was the driving force behind the Ford Focus, Fiesta, Mondeo, Mustang, Thunderbird, F-150 and Ford GT, plus Lincoln LS, Jaguar S-Type and X-Type.

Parry-Jones was known throughout the industry for his expertise in vehicle development, particularly in the area of driving dynamics and refinement. He was a strong proponent of using consumer insights and quality initiatives throughout the product engineering process to deliver cars and trucks with improved initial quality, long-range durability, technological innovation, and surprise-and-delight features that anticipated the wants and needs of customers.

“Richard was a rare talent who left an indelible mark on Ford and the industry. As an engineer, he was a virtuoso with an uncanny feel for creating cars that were dynamic and incredibly fun to drive,” said Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford. “I can tell you that going on a test drive with him was not for the faint of heart. His passion for great cars and love of motoring inspired legions of engineers and enthusiasts in Europe and around the world.”

Henry Ford Technology AwardsHenry Ford Technology Awards

1995 pictured with Duratec SE Engine1995 pictured with Duratec SE Engine




Ford Chief Product Platform and Operations Officer Hau Thai-Tang remembers Parry-Jones as a mentor. “Richard inspired me and a generation of engineers with his compelling vision for Ford product excellence. His legacy can be experienced in the driving attributes of Ford products all around the world,” said Thai-Tang. “Richard was a remarkable engineer and inspirational leader. He had the rare ability to marry exceptional driving skill with science and data to extract the best performance out of our products.”

In addition to his zest for engineering and product development, Parry-Jones was an avid motorsports enthusiast.

“As an engineer, Richard looked deep into the data with us to understand our technical problems and find innovative solutions. As a car and motorsports enthusiast, he shared his genuine passion to fuel our own. As a leader, he created a vision with us and provided an environment to turn the shared vision into reality,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “Through his endless energy and commitment, Richard inspired all of us to stretch ourselves as individuals to deliver at a higher level than we thought we could.”

Born in Wales in 1951, Parry-Jones joined Ford’s product development group in 1969 as an undergraduate trainee. He went on to graduate with a first-class honors degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Salford, Manchester, in 1973, then held a number of product roles in Ford’s U.K. operations.

He was appointed manager of small car programs in 1982 and played a leading role in development of the 1981 European Escort, named 1981 European Car of the Year, as well as the introduction of the European Sierra in 1983. He was named executive engineer of Ford’s technological research in Europe in 1985, before adding responsibility for vehicle concepts a year later.

Fluent in German as well as English, Parry-Jones’ international experience included an assignment as director of vehicle concepts engineering in the United States in 1988, before he took charge of manufacturing operations at Ford’s Cologne, Germany, assembly plant in 1990.

Parry-Jones was named chief engineer for vehicle engineering in 1991, and from May 1994 to December 1997, he served as vice president of the product development group in Europe. Vehicles developed under his direction included the Ford Focus, Ka, Fiesta, Puma, Mondeo, Cougar and Galaxy.

Parry-Jones received many accolades throughout his career. He was named “Man of the Year” in 1994 by the top British publication Autocar and in 1997 by the U.S. magazine Automobile. In 2001 he received the Golden Gear Award for outstanding automotive achievement from the Washington Automotive Press Association and was honored as “Marketing Statesman of the Year” by the Sales and Marketing Executives of Detroit.

Parry-Jones was also an elected fellow of both the Royal Academy of Engineers and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. In 1995 he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Loughborough University in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the auto industry and engineering education and training. In 2005 he was awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire in The Queen’s New Year honors list for services to the automobile industry.