Ford's Head of EV and Tech to Depart

• Field's tenure saw cancellation of several key programs he led, including next-generation EVs and an advanced software platform that would serve as the 'brain' of vehicles, with Ford recording a $1.9 billion charge in December as it stepped away from EV programs
• Alan Clarke, a Tesla alum who worked with Field on affordable EVs, will lead advanced development projects, continuing work on a $30,000 pickup truck set to arrive next year designed to compete with Chinese automakers
• Ford is combining advanced technology and industrialization teams under Kumar Galhotra to support plans to refresh 80% of its North American lineup and 70% of its global portfolio by volume by 2029

Ford's Head of EV and Tech to Depart

Doug Field, Ford Motor's chief EV, digital, and design officer, is leaving the automaker next month after nearly five years leading the company's electric vehicle and technology transformation efforts. Field, a veteran of both Tesla and Apple, joined Ford in 2021 in what CEO Jim Farley called a "watershed" moment for the century-old automaker.

Key Developments:

Field's tenure saw significant strategy shifts as policy changes and lower-than-expected EV demand forced Ford to cancel many programs he led, including several next-generation EVs and an advanced vehicle "brain" system. In December, Ford recorded a $1.9 billion impairment charge as it stepped away from multiple EV programs.

Despite the cancellations, Field's most lasting impact will likely be Ford's next-generation family of affordable EVs, including a $30,000 pickup truck launching next year designed to compete with Chinese automakers. Tesla alum Alan Clarke, who co-led this initiative, has been named head of advanced development projects.

Organizational Changes:

Ford is merging its advanced technology team with its global industrialization operations under COO Kumar Galhotra, creating a new "product creation and industrialization" group. This consolidation reverses Ford's previous strategy of separating EV and gas-vehicle operations, though it continues reporting their financials separately.

The restructuring aims to accelerate Ford's ambitious product roadmap: refreshing 80% of its North American vehicle lineup and 70% of its global portfolio by volume by 2029.

CEO Farley credited Field with attracting tech talent and fostering cultural changes to accelerate decision-making, stating "his influence will be felt for years to come."