Richard Parry-Jones, the Welsh product growth boss who helped transform Ford Motor Co.’s European lineup within the Nineteen Nineties and early 2000s, died Friday. He was 69.

Parry-Jones was concerned in an accident on his farm in Wales, in accordance with British media reviews.

In his 38-year profession with Ford, he was instrumental within the engineering of the Ford Mondeo sedan, the Puma subcompact and the first-generation Focus.

He would rack up numerous miles on the agricultural roads round his dwelling in England, specializing in the tiny particulars of experience, dealing with, steering, noise, vibration and really feel. Some referred to him because the CEO of driving dynamics.

In 1999, he delivered a lecture — “Engineering for Company Success within the New Millennium” — at London’s Royal Academy of Engineering.

Parry-Jones retired from Ford in 2007 as the corporate’s chief technical officer however continued to serve on company boards and seek the advice of. He joined the board of Aston Martin final yr.

“Richard Parry-Jones was a uncommon expertise who left an indelible mark on Ford and the business,” Ford Government Chairman Invoice Ford mentioned in an announcement Friday afternoon. “As an engineer, he was a virtuoso with an uncanny really feel for creating automobiles that had been dynamic and extremely enjoyable to drive. I can let you know that happening a take a look at drive with him was not for the faint of coronary heart. His ardour for nice automobiles and love of motoring impressed legions of engineers and fans in Europe and world wide. Richard might be deeply missed, and our coronary heart goes out to his household and family members.”

Al Kammerer, Jaguar Land Rover’s former product growth chief when Ford owned the manufacturers, referred to as Parry-Jones a genius.

“His contribution to automobile excellence, notably driving dynamics, was wonderful,” Kammerer mentioned. “He was a tireless employee and he was all in it for the crew.”

Ford CEO Jim Farley wrote on Fb: “Unhappy information, we are going to honour him in the suitable approach!”