Doug Field, a prominent figure in Ford Motor Company’s electric vehicle and technological strategies, is departing the automaker. His exit, announced as part of a significant leadership restructuring on Wednesday, marks a notable change within the company.
Field’s journey with Ford began in 2021, bringing with him a wealth of experience from Silicon Valley, where he had previously led Apple’s special projects and served as senior vice president of engineering at Tesla. His commitment to Ford was aligned with CEO Jim Farley’s ambition to transform the historic company into a frontrunner in software, electric vehicles (EVs), and advanced technologies. Interestingly, Field initially began his career at Ford as a development engineer between 1987 and 1993.
Reporting directly to Farley, Field’s role encompassed overseeing embedded software and hardware operations, including vehicle controls, enterprise connectivity, and driver assistance technology. Essentially, he was instrumental in shaping the technological framework for both Ford and Lincoln vehicles, directly influencing areas such as infotainment, navigation, connected services, and vehicle cybersecurity.
Field was a highly visible executive often celebrated by Farley during earnings calls. He played a critical role in the company’s strategic reorganisation into three distinct business units: the EV and digital services division, the traditional internal combustion engine segment, and the commercial vehicles arm. Additionally, he spearheaded the skunkworks initiative that aimed at developing a cost-effective electric vehicle.
Ford’s recent reorganisation has resulted in the creation of a “product creation and industrialisation” team, now headed by Chief Operating Officer Kumar Galhotra, which will absorb Field’s EV and design team. This new structure comes with ambitious targets, including achieving an 8% adjusted profit margin for the Ford+ commercial sector by 2029. Furthermore, it aims to refresh 80% of its North American vehicle lineup and 70% of its global offerings by the same year. Key projects include the Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform, a mid-sized pickup, alongside the latest models of the F-150 and F-Series Super Duty trucks.
The UEV platform was developed by what was formerly known as the skunkworks programme, now rebranded as the Advanced Development Projects team, under the leadership of Alan Clarke, another ex-Tesla executive.
Field’s departure highlights the ongoing evolution of Ford as it navigates the complexities of the automotive industry amidst a rapidly changing technological landscape.
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