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Ford EV Shake-Up: New Leader, Hybrid Focus
16 Apr
Summary
- Doug Field, leading Ford's EV and software, is stepping down next month.
- Ford recently announced a $19.5 billion writedown on its EV investment.
- The company is shifting focus to hybrids and existing gas models.
Doug Field, a key figure in Ford's electric vehicle and software development, will depart the company next month. He is being succeeded by Alan Clarke, an ex-Tesla engineer currently heading Ford's advanced development projects and the Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) Platform. This leadership transition occurs shortly after Ford announced a substantial $19.5 billion writedown on its EV investments and paused the development of new electric truck and van models.
The automaker is pivoting its strategy, emphasizing hybrid vehicles and its established range of gasoline-powered trucks and SUVs. Ford will continue to work on the UEV platform, with plans to launch a midsize truck priced around $30,000 in 2027. Additionally, a new organization, Product Creation and Integration, will be formed to scale EVs and digital products across the company.
Field expressed confidence in the UEV platform's maturity and readiness for mass production, stating it was an opportune moment to hand over leadership to the company's industrialization experts. Ford CEO Jim Farley lauded Field for building a capable team. Farley also detailed plans to refresh 80% of the North American and 70% of the global vehicle portfolios by 2029, incorporating new electric architectures and advanced software.
