Ford EV chief leaving automaker amid new restructuring efforts

Key Points:

• Doug Field, Ford's chief EV, digital and design officer, is leaving the company as it restructures its executive team and operations, with a transition planned over the next month.
• Ford is creating a new "Product Creation and Industrialization" organization led by COO Kumar Galhotra, integrating Field's responsibilities with the global Industrial System group to meet goals under the "Ford+" business plan.
• The restructuring aims to accelerate Ford's electric vehicle (EV) development, including a next-generation midsize pickup on the Universal Electric Vehicle platform set for release next year, and to improve digital experiences and operational efficiency.
• Ford plans for 90% of its global vehicles to have electrified powertrains by 2030, with advanced electrical architectures and over-the-air update capabilities to enhance customer experiences and achieve eyes-off driving by 2028.
• The company faces challenges in software and EV initiatives, including a $19.5 billion write-down announced in December, significantly larger than competitors, prompting a realignment of business priorities alongside executive changes.