Ford establishes Product Creation and Industrialization organization

Ford (F) announced the establishment of a new end-to-end organization, Product Creation and Industrialization. The new structure, which integrates Ford’s Electric Vehicle, Digital and Design team with its global Industrial System, is a key lever in achieving the company’s Ford+ objectives, including its target of an 8% adjusted EBIT margin by 2029, the company said. “This is the culmination of years of work and progress to create the modern Ford – a talented, unified organization capable of scaling high-quality, software-defined vehicles with a choice of propulsion, distinctive digital experiences and features, and a personalized ownership experience that improves over time,” said Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO. By creating the Product Creation and Industrialization team, Ford will be able to turn its highest-volume vehicles into platforms for digital growth. This includes: Massive Portfolio Renewal: By 2029, Ford will refresh 80% of its North American portfolio by volume and 70% of its global portfolio by volume. This includes the first vehicle on the Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform, a mid-sized pickup, and the next-generation F-150 and F-Series Super Duty. The “Skunkworks” Breakthrough: The UEV platform represents a step-change in efficiency, affordability and digital experiences. It features an ultra-efficient powertrain and a groundbreaking fully zonal architecture with in-house software controls and ADAS that supports a wide range of vehicle types and battery chemistries. Its design utilizes “unicastings” to reduce weight and complexity, enabling a new, more efficient assembly process. The UEV project is also a valuable laboratory for modernizing Ford’s global development systems – from advanced CAD tools to physics-based cost modeling that are being applied to reduce expenses across Ford’s highest volume product lines. The program has also brought in new suppliers from outside the traditional auto industry. Always-Improving Experiences: By 2030, 90% of Ford’s vehicles by volume will feature updated electrical architectures, in-house developed user experiences and hardware, and next-generation over-the-air capabilities for continuous improvement in experiences and services. This foundation enables the rapid rollout of BlueCruise and the Ford Digital Experience, providing a scalable path toward future Level 3 autonomous driving. Electrification: Nearly 90 percent of Ford’s global nameplates will offer electrified powertrains by 2030. This will include advanced hybrids, extended-range electric vehicles, and fully electric vehicles. The UEV platform has already yielded breakthroughs such as high-efficiency motors that will improve future hybrids, and established the Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery engineering capability that now serves as the foundation for Ford’s stationary energy storage business, Ford Energy. Ford Chief Operating Officer Kumar Galhotra will lead the unified Product Creation and Industrialization organization.