GARAGE DAYS

DEVELOPING FORD AUSTRALIA'S MOST IMPORTANT MODELS AND ENSURING THEY'RE FIT FOR GLOBAL MARKETS ALL STARTED WITH A MECCANO SET, AND A DETERMINED YOUNG WOMAN'S WORD TO A GARAGE OWNER

- DAMION SMY

LAUNCHING a new vehicle into nearly 200 markets for a global carmaker is riddled with complexities, challenges and downright hard work. Supreme engineering talent is not enough; being a great people person alone won't do the job. It's a unique skill set that sees T6 global program manager Pritika Maharaj ensuring Ford's Ranger and Everest are bui to the demanded quality standard, with the right powertrains, capability and features - to a strict schedule. Watching the T6 line-up roll out around the world is her moment of truth.

"It's tricky, but I wouldn't call it the hardest time," Maharaj tells 4X4 Australia. "I quite enjoy launch; I like it when it's all about delivery and executing right. I wouldn't say it's harder, but certainly it's more immediate and there's a lot more immediate pressure because you've got to turn things around quickly, you've got to think quickly, get the right people engaged. A lot of what I do is trying to make sure that those people are engaged and that they understand the urgency, move fast and resolve what we need to."

ON THE BIKE