Ford is making another sharp turn in its electrification strategy. After cancelling the F-150 Lightning due to weak sales and leaning more heavily into hybrids and extended-range technologies, the automaker is now restructuring its operations.
As part of that shift, the automaker has confirmed that Doug Field, its chief EV, digital and design officer, will leave the company following a transition period, as part of a broader reorganization aimed at accelerating product development and improving profitability.
Along with Field’s departure, Ford is creating a new “Product Creation and Industrialization” organization, which will combine Ford’s technology teams with its global manufacturing operations under Chief Operating Officer Kumar Galhotra. The goal is to streamline development and scale production more efficiently, while helping the company reach its target of an 8% adjusted EBIT margin by 2029.
Ford says the restructuring is designed to support what it describes as one of the most intensive product rollouts in its history, with plans to refresh 80% of its North American lineup and 70% of its global portfolio by the end of the decade.
Despite the shakeup, Ford pushed back on suggestions that it is stepping away from EVs. In a statement addressing the changes, the company said that its Advanced EV Development Team—formerly known as its “skunkworks” unit—remains active and on track to deliver its first vehicle next year.
That team, now led by former Tesla engineer Alan Clarke, has been instrumental in developing Ford’s upcoming Universal EV platform. The architecture is expected to underpin a new generation of more affordable electric vehicles, including a mid-size pickup slated to enter production in the near future.
Field, who joined Ford in 2021 after stints at Tesla and Apple, played a key role in building that foundation. He was tasked with modernizing Ford’s approach to software and electrification, and helping the company close the gap with more tech-focused rivals.
“I’m honoured to have been a part of leading Ford during an unprecedented period of technology and market disruption,” Field said in a press release announcing the changes, adding “I believe Ford now has a winning technology strategy and plan.”
While there has been much criticism for letting Field go, he added that the timing of his departure aligns with the maturity of the program, noting that the next phase now depends on Ford’s manufacturing expertise.
“The product has reached a level of maturity where I am completely dependent on the experts at Ford… That is really why this transition point is an opportune time for me to pass the baton.”
Still, the leadership change raises questions about Ford’s long-term EV direction. Over the past year, the company has scaled back several electric vehicle programs, including shelving plans for some next-generation EVs and shifting focus toward hybrids and extended-range electric vehicles after taking a nearly $20 billion writedown tied to its EV business.
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