Eaton Vehicle Group Names New Head

João V. Faria has been appointed president of Eaton’s vehicle group, effective May 1, the company announced. He will succeed Kenneth F. Davis, who will retire on Aug. 1.

Faria will be responsible for the company’s vehicle business, which manufactures engine air management, traction control, fluid conveyance, and powertrain products for commercial and passenger vehicles. He will report to Uday Yadav, chief operating officer, industrial sector.

Davis has served as president of the vehicle group since 2011. From May 1 until his retirement in August, he will work on strategic initiatives for the industrial sector.

“João’s deep knowledge of our vehicle businesses coupled with his broad Eaton experience in both hydraulics and electrical make him an ideal candidate to lead our team at a time when our industry is undergoing significant change,” said Yadav. “João’s international experience and knowledge of blended power will be a real asset as we position the Vehicle Group for an exciting future.”

Faria joined Eaton in 1987 and was appointed to his current dual role in 2013, leading the electrical business in Latin America and serving as the corporate president for South and Central America. Prior to those roles, Faria was president of Eaton’s hydraulics business for the Americas.

He originally joined the company as a materials engineer at the Valinhos, Brazil truck plant. He then held quality, manufacturing, and management roles within the truck transmission operations.  

Faria has also served as general manager of the light and medium duty transmission operations in Brazil; general manager of valve actuation for the automotive business’ engine air management operations; vice president and general manager of engine air management operations; president of powertrain and specialty controls operations,  and president of vehicle group, EMEA.

Faria holds master’s degrees in engineering and business administration from the University of São Paulo, Brazil, and a degree in materials engineering from São Carlos Federal University, Brazil.