Ford chief EV, digital, and design officer Field to leave company

Ford (F) said that Doug Field, chief EV, digital, and design officer, has elected to leave the company after a transition over the next month. “I’m honored to have been a part of leading Ford during an unprecedented period of technology and market disruption,” Field said. “I believe Ford now has a winning technology strategy and plan. The first breakthrough product off the Universal EV platform – a mid-size pickup – is on its way to production. We have clearly defined hardware, software, and electrification plans across our full product line. The initial quality of our core technologies is now near the top of the industry. Most importantly, we have incredibly talented teams across these disciplines, ready to carry Ford into the future. I am completely confident in them and so excited to see their work in the coming years.” Field said he looks forward to sharing learnings from his unique career in his next chapter. “I have been incredibly lucky to be at the center of disruption and innovation at Apple, Tesla, and now Ford, and I look forward to giving some of that experience back to the world.” Alan Clarke is promoted to vice president, Advanced Development Projects. Clarke will continue to lead the Advanced Electric Vehicle Development team. This “skunkworks” model – small teams of world class engineers given the autonomy to innovate before industrialization – has proven to be a highly effective engine for breakthrough products, and Ford will leverage it for select future programs. Kieran Cahill, Ford vice president, manufacturing, Europe and IMG, is retiring effective May 1.