Jon Huntsman joins Ford's board of directors

Former Republican presidential candidate Jon Huntsman is joining Ford Motor Co.'s board of directors, the company announced Thursday.

Huntsman, 51, withdrew from the presidential race days before the South Carolina primary last month. He has served as the governor of Utah and as the U.S. ambassador to China.

Ford Chairman Bill Ford said Huntsman's political and foreign policy experience would be an asset to the company.

“Jon brings to Ford’s board of directors extensive global knowledge and experience — particularly in Asia with trade issues — and operational experience gained as governor of Utah, a state that has grown jobs even during the economic crisis,” Ford said in a statement.

“Jon understands the importance of strengthening the country’s manufacturing base, which will contribute to our success going forward,” Ford's statement continued.

Huntsman was viewed as a serious presidential contender when he resigned his Chinese ambassadorship in 2011 to pursue the GOP nomination. But his campaign struggled to gain traction, and many conservatives questioned his service in the Obama administration.

The U.S. auto industry has emerged as a campaign issue for 2012, with the Obama campaign touting the bailouts of Chrysler and General Motors as a success for the president. Ford did not receive a bailout, which the company highlighted in a television commercial last year.