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3d ago

Ford Folds EV and Software Group Into New Unit as Doug Field Departs

The shake-up signals a manufacturing-first push to cut costs and lift margins.

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Doug Field
Doug Field, chief EV, digital and design officer of Ford Motor Company, addresses the attendees during the SAE WCX conference in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., April 18, 2024. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook
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Overview

  • Ford said Wednesday it created a Product Creation and Industrialization unit under COO Kumar Galhotra as EV chief Doug Field prepares to leave next month.
  • The new group combines EV, digital, and design teams with global manufacturing to speed product launches and scale software and services across the lineup.
  • Ford will not name a direct replacement for Field, and his responsibilities will move into the new organization.
  • Former Tesla engineer Alan Clarke was promoted to lead Advanced Development Projects, continuing the Universal Electric Vehicle platform, a common low‑cost EV base for a planned ~$30,000 midsize pickup in the coming years.
  • The reset follows a $19.5 billion EV writedown in December 2025 and program cuts, and Ford is targeting an 8% adjusted EBIT margin by 2029 alongside plans to refresh about 80% of its North American lineup by 2029.