Doug Field, a prominent figure in shaping Ford's electric vehicle (EV) and technology strategies over the last five years, is departing from the automaker. His exit was announced as part of a significant leadership reorganization within the company.
Field joined Ford in 2021, bringing a wealth of experience from Silicon Valley, where he led Apple's special projects team and served as a senior vice president at Tesla. His hiring was intended to align with CEO Jim Farley's vision of transforming Ford into a frontrunner in software and EV technology. Notably, Field began his career at Ford as a development engineer from 1987 to 1993.
Reporting directly to Farley, Field was responsible for overseeing the embedded software and hardware operations at Ford, which encompassed vehicle controls, enterprise connectivity, and driver assistance technologies. This role made him instrumental in the design and implementation of the technology stack utilized in both Ford and Lincoln vehicles, which included infotainment systems and vehicle cybersecurity.
Field was a visible leader within Ford, frequently acknowledged by Farley during earnings calls. He played a pivotal role in the automaker's strategic decision to divide its operations into three distinct units: the EV and digital services division, the traditional internal combustion engine business, and the commercial vehicles segment. Additionally, he spearheaded Ford's secretive low-cost electric vehicle initiative.
As part of the recent reorganization, Ford has established a new "product creation and industrialization" team, which will be led by COO Kumar Galhotra. Field's former electric vehicle and design team will be integrated into this new structure.
This newly formed organization is set to pursue ambitious goals, including achieving an 8% adjusted profit margin for its Ford+ commercial business by 2029. The team will also oversee a comprehensive refresh of 80% of its North American product lineup and 70% of its global offerings by 2029. Key projects will include the Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform and the next-generation F-150 and F-Series Super Duty trucks.
The UEV platform, developed by the Advanced Development Projects team, will play a crucial role in Ford's future. Alan Clarke, a former Tesla executive, now heads this innovative team.
