Ford Motor has promoted an executive to a top-level environmental remit in another reflection of green issues’ elevation to the top of the US car industry’s agenda.

Susan Cischke will be responsible for establishing a “long-range sustainability strategy” and environmental and safety policy for the company, reporting to Alan Mulally, Ford’s president and chief executive. Ms Cischke formerly reported to Ford’s head of corporate affairs as head of Ford’s environmental and safety engineering.