Ford EV’s chief technology officer is leaving the automaker

Doug Field, the chief executive who developed Ford’s electric vehicle (EV) and technology solutions over the past five years, is leaving the automaker. Field’s departure was he announced Wednesday as part of a broader restructuring of the company’s leadership.

Garden agreed with Ford in 2021 with a strong resume from Silicon Valley that includes leading Apple’s special team and being the vice president of engineering at Tesla. His recruitment was not just a return to his professional roots. (Field began his career at Ford as a development engineer from 1987 to 1993.) The hiring was necessary to drive Ford CEO Jim Farley’s vision to turn the automaker into a leader in software, EVs, and other advanced technology.

Field was reported directly to Farley, who was initially tasked with overseeing the company’s integrated software and hardware, covering vehicle management, business integration, interface, integration and authentication, architecture and platforms, driver assistance technology, and advanced technology. Instead, this made him responsible for the design, development, and installation of all the technology used in Ford and Lincoln vehicles, including infotainment, navigation, driver assistance technology, connected services, and vehicle safety.

Field was a visible figure at Ford whom Farley often praised on the company’s receiving calls. He was one of the important leaders when the automaker to divide his business into three segments: the EV segment and digital services, the traditional internal combustion engine business, and the commercial vehicle segment. And he was behind Ford skunkworks software – a secret internal team – building a low-cost electric car.

Under the restructuring that took place on Wednesday, Ford created a group it calls “product development and manufacturing” to be led by COO Kumar Galhotra. Ford’s electric vehicle and design group, which Field led, will be integrated into the new organization.

The new organization comes with big goals, including an 8% adjusted profit for its Ford business + by 2029. The group will also oversee Ford’s plan to revive 80% of its North American portfolio by volume and 70% of its global portfolio by 2029. This will include the Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) Cars F-150 and F-Series Super Duty.

The UEV platform was developed by the Ford skunkworks program – now known as the Advanced Development Projects team. Alan Clarke, the former Tesla executive who led the skunkworks program, is now vice president of Advanced Development Projects.