Ford Motor is undergoing a significant leadership shift as Doug Field, the executive tasked with steering the company’s electric vehicle and software ambitions, is leaving the automaker. The departure comes as the company initiates a broad restructuring of its executive operations to streamline how it develops and manufactures its next generation of vehicles.
Ford announced Wednesday that Field, who served as the chief EV, digital and design officer, has “elected to leave the company after a transition over the next month.” While a company release noted Field is moving toward a “next chapter,” the executive did not disclose specific future plans during a call with the media.
The exit of the Ford EV chief leaving automaker amid latest restructuring efforts marks a pivotal moment for CEO Jim Farley, who previously described Field’s arrival in 2021 as a “watershed moment.” Field, a veteran of both Tesla and Apple, was brought in to accelerate Ford’s transition into a software-driven company, but his departure coincides with a period of financial volatility and a strategic pivot in the company’s EV rollout.
To fill the void and consolidate power, Ford is establishing a new “Product Creation and Industrialization” organization. This end-to-end unit will be led by Ford veteran and Chief Operating Officer Kumar Galhotra, who will now integrate Field’s former responsibilities with the company’s global Industrial System group.
Doug Field, the chief EV, digital and design officer at Ford Motor, speaks at Louisville Assembly Plant as Ford shares its plans to design and assemble its “Universal Electric Vehicle” platform on August 11, 2025.
A Strategic Pivot Toward ‘Ford+’ Objectives
The reorganization is designed to help Ford meet the aggressive targets set under its “Ford+” business plan. A primary goal of this shift is to achieve an 8% adjusted EBIT margin by 2029. By merging software and design with industrial operations, the company believes it can reduce internal complexity and move faster from the drawing board to the dealership.
“Today is a very important moment for us at Ford, really for our next chapter,” CEO Jim Farley said during the announcement. “We believe this organization change will really help us deliver all the key Ford plus objectives.”
Central to this transformation is the upcoming launch of a next-generation electric vehicle platform known as the “Universal Electric Vehicle” (UEV). Farley has emphasized that these new vehicles are as critical to the company’s survival as the original Model T. The first major product on this platform—a midsize pickup—is scheduled for release next year.
Despite the leadership change, Farley and Field maintained that the UEV project is in a strong position. “Ford will be changed by taking these products all the way over the finish line,” Field said Wednesday. “My team is ready, and they’re ready to execute.”
The Financial Toll of the EV Transition
The restructuring arrives after a challenging period for Ford’s electric ambitions. While the company has pushed forward with high-profile software and hardware initiatives, the financial returns have not always aligned with expectations. The company has reported significant shortfalls in software-generated revenue, leading to a strategic realignment.
In December, Ford announced a massive $19.5 billion write-down related to its pullback in certain EV initiatives and a shift in business priorities. This financial hit was substantially larger than that of its primary domestic competitor, General Motors, which reported roughly $7.6 billion in similar charges.
To stabilize the ship, Ford is now focusing on a more diversified approach to electrification. The company’s updated roadmap includes a mix of full battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrids, and extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) to meet varying consumer demands and infrastructure limitations.
| Metric | 2029 Goal | 2030 Goal |
|---|---|---|
| North American Portfolio Refresh | 80% by volume | — |
| Global Portfolio Refresh | 70% by volume | — |
| Electrified Powertrain Availability | — | 90% of global nameplates |
| Updated Electrical Architectures | — | 90% of vehicles by volume |
| Adjusted EBIT Margin | 8% | — |
The Road to ‘Eyes-Off’ Driving
Beyond the hardware, Ford is doubling down on its digital user experience. The new Product Creation and Industrialization unit is tasked with delivering one of the most intensive software rollouts in the company’s history. This includes updated in-house developed user experiences and next-generation over-the-air (OTA) capabilities, which allow the company to update vehicle software remotely.
These technological leaps are intended to pave a “scalable path” toward a 2028 goal: achieving “eyes-off” driving. This objective relies heavily on the continued evolution of the BlueCruise advanced driver assistance system, which Ford aims to roll out rapidly across its fleet.
“This is really the heart and soul over the next couple years of our transformation,” Farley said. “This new structure positions us to move a lot faster, reduce complexity inside the company and deliver those great digital experiences and vehicles with greater quality and efficiency.”
The shakeup also extends beyond the C-suite. Ford announced additional changes to its advanced vehicle development products and its European manufacturing operations, signaling a global effort to tighten operational efficiency.
While Doug Field will not be replaced by a direct equivalent, his influence remains in the “world-class team” he helped assemble. COO Kumar Galhotra now carries the mantle of integrating those high-tech ambitions with the gritty reality of industrial manufacturing.
The next critical checkpoint for the company will be the official launch of the UEV midsize pickup next year, which will serve as the first real-world test of whether this new organizational structure can deliver a profitable, high-tech vehicle on schedule.
This is a developing story. We invite readers to share their thoughts on Ford’s restructuring in the comments below.
