Doug Field will depart Ford next month as the company absorbs its electric vehicle, digital, and design teams into a new global industrial organization. The company is establishing the „Product Creation and Industrialization“ unit to scale next-generation vehicles and technology through a unified end-to-end system. This move integrates the previously independent EV and digital teams directly into Ford’s global industrial operations.
Ford is merging its EV and industrial teams into one organization
The new Product Creation and Industrialization department aims to execute one of the most intensive rollouts of software, products, and services in the history of the company. Ford views this integration as a primary lever for achieving the goals outlined in its „Ford+“ strategy plan. By removing the silos between advanced technology and global industrial teams, the automaker intends to accelerate the production of next-gen vehicles.
COO Kumar Galhotra will lead the new organization. This leadership choice signals a departure from CEO Jim Farley’s previous strategy of relying on Silicon Valley expertise to close the gap with competitors like Tesla. Instead of appointing another tech executive to oversee the EV and digitalization efforts, Ford is placing the operation under its chief operating officer.
Why Doug Field’s departure marks a strategic shift
Field joined Ford in 2021 as Chief EV, Digital and Design Officer after tenures at Apple and Tesla. Jim Farley hired him specifically to overhaul how Ford developed vehicles and to catch up in the race for software-defined vehicles. While Field was not the official head of the „Ford Model e“ division created in 2022, he functioned as the public face of the company’s electric ambitions.
The departure of a high-profile tech transplant suggests Farley no longer believes a separate, tech-centric hierarchy is the most efficient way to compete. Field’s tenure focused on changing the internal culture of vehicle development to mirror the speed of Silicon Valley. Now, Ford is folding those lessons into its traditional industrial machine.
Field stated that he believes Ford now possesses a successful technology strategy and a concrete plan for the future. He noted that the quality of the company’s core technologies is now among the best in the industry.
Under the new plan, operating margins must reach 8% by 2029
Financial pressure is driving this reorganization. Jim Farley has set a target to increase the company’s operating margin to 8% by 2029. This represents a significant jump from the 3.6% margin reported last year.
The restructuring is designed to eliminate the inefficiencies of maintaining separate divisions for internal combustion engines (Ford Blue) and electric vehicles (Model e). By unifying these under a single industrialization umbrella, Ford hopes to reduce costs and improve the commercial viability of its electric transition.
A midsize pickup will lead the new platform rollout
Field’s primary legacy at Ford is the development of the „Universal EV Platform.“ This architecture focuses on lower costs and simplified manufacturing to ensure future electric models are commercially successful rather than just technological showcases.
A midsize electric pickup is the first major product based on this platform and is currently moving toward series production. This vehicle will serve as the test case for whether the new integrated industrial organization can deliver high-volume, profitable electric vehicles.
Ford has already defined the hardware, software, and electrification plans across its entire product range. The company is now shifting its focus from the design and conceptualization of these technologies to the brutal reality of large-scale industrial execution.
What is the Universal EV Platform?
It is a new architecture developed under Doug Field that emphasizes cost-effective design and simpler manufacturing processes. It is intended to produce Ford’s next generation of electric vehicles more commercially viable.
Which specific vehicle is coming first on this platform?
The first product based on the Universal EV Platform is a midsize electric pickup, which is currently on its way to series production.
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