Oct 18 Reuters Ford Motor Co on Wednesday announced a management rejig, promoting combustion vehicle unit chief Kumar Galhotra to the position of chief operating officer, even as the ongoing autoworkers strike shows little signs of ending.

Galhotra, who previously headed the Ford Blue unit that makes gas and hybrid vehicles, will now lead the automaker39;s global industrial system.

Andrew Frick, who previously managed Ford Blue39;s sales and distribution functions, trucks, SUVs and enthusiast vehicles, and operations in Mexico and Canada, will succeed Galhotra at the unit.

These moves will drive clarity and simplicity across Ford, so we can significantly ramp up our capabilities and combine them with businesses that are focused on the needs of different customers, Ford39;s chief executive Jim Farley said.

After the UAW ordered its workers to walk out from Ford39;s Kentucky Truck plant last week, Galhotra told the media the automaker was at the limit of what it can spend on higher wages and benefits, adding that going any further would hurt its ability to invest in its business.

Automakers are dealing with ongoing strikes by the United Auto Workers union that has led to total economic losses of 7.7 billion through Oct. 12, Anderson Economic Group of East Lansing, Michigan estimated in a report on Monday.

Ahead of its thirdquarter earnings report on Oct. 26, Ford faces several questions, including the impact the UAW negotiations will have on U.S. labor costs and how…