Ford of Europe has appointed Mark Deans, latterly a senior member of Ford of Britain's sales and marketing team, to the newly-created position of motorsport director.

At the same time Jost Capito becomes vehicle line director for Ford Performance Vehicles, another new position, within Ford of Europe's Product Development team.

Ford said Jost Capito’s appointment confirms a major commitment to the development of future performance derivatives of Ford models.

Capito will report to Ford of Europe's vice president of product development, Joe Bakaj, and will work closely with Deans.

Capito will continue the traditions of Ford Team RS to deliver new generations of mainstream performance vehicles.

Capito and Deans will be based at Ford's Dunton Technical Centre in Essex.