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Ford EV Chief Doug Field Departs Amidst Shifting Plans
16 Apr
Summary
- Doug Field, a veteran of Tesla and Apple, is leaving Ford.
- His departure comes as Ford reevaluates its EV strategy and product plans.
- Field focused on building teams and culture, not just product development.
Doug Field, a prominent executive with experience at Tesla and Apple, is set to leave Ford next month. He has led the automaker's electric vehicle and technology initiatives for nearly five years, serving as chief EV, digital, and design officer. Field joined Ford in 2021, tasked with transforming the company's approach to developing modern vehicles.
Field's tenure coincided with a rapidly changing automotive landscape, marked by policy shifts and fluctuating EV demand. This led to the cancellation of several EV programs and advanced electrical architecture projects he was involved with. Despite these changes, Field emphasized his focus on building teams, capabilities, and culture within Ford.
In December, Ford recorded a substantial $19.5 billion writedown due to stepping away from certain EV programs. However, Field's influence is expected to remain, particularly with the upcoming generation of affordable EVs, including a $30,000 pickup truck slated for release next year. Alan Clarke, another former Tesla employee, will now lead the advanced development projects team.
Ford is consolidating its advanced technology and global industrialization teams under Kumar Galhotra, the chief operating officer. This new group, named product creation and industrialization, aims to streamline the launch of new products, software, and services. Ford plans to refresh a significant portion of its North American and global vehicle lineups by 2029.
