Doug Field leaves Ford as company shifts focus to hybrids and low-cost EVs

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Doug Field is stepping down as Ford’s chief EV, digital, and design officer next month. The former Apple and Tesla executive joined the company five years ago to lead its multibillion-dollar software and electric vehicle strategy. Alan Clarke, an ex-Tesla engineer who currently runs Ford’s California skunkworks lab, will replace him as vice president of advanced development projects.

Field’s exit follows a period of aggressive recalibration for the automaker. Ford recently announced a $19.5 billion writedown on its EV investments and discontinued several electric models, including the F-150 Lightning. The company also scrapped plans for an electric commercial van and a next-generation electric truck codenamed T3.

Ford is shifting its product focus

Ford’s current strategy emphasizes hybrids and existing gas-powered trucks and SUVs. The company’s remaining EV efforts center on the Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform. This architecture will support a family of low-cost EVs, starting with a $30,000 midsize truck expected in 2027.

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CEO Jim Farley announced plans to refresh 80 percent of the North American vehicle portfolio and 70 percent of the global portfolio by 2029. These updates will include new electric architectures and higher levels of automation. By 2030, 90 percent of Ford vehicles will feature new electric architectures, including zonal and partially zonal systems.

Why the leadership change happened now

Field described the transition as an opportune time to pass the baton to Ford’s industrial and manufacturing teams. He stated that the product has reached a maturity level where success depends on experts who can run high-volume production at factories like the one in Kentucky while keeping costs affordable.

The company’s organizational structure is also changing. Ford created a new “end-to-end organization” called Product Creation and Integration to scale digital products and EVs. Chief operating officer Kumar Galhotra will lead this team to leverage existing vehicle platforms for digital growth.

Who is replacing Doug Field?

Alan Clarke, a former Tesla engineer and current head of Ford’s California skunkworks lab, will take over as vice president of advanced development projects. He’ll continue overseeing the development of the Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform.

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What happened to the F-150 Lightning?

Ford discontinued the F-150 Lightning pickup truck as part of a broader strategy to focus on hybrids and gas-powered vehicles following a $19.5 billion investment writedown.

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