Ford EV Chief Doug Field Exits Amid Major Restructuring Push

Ford Motor Co. EV and software chief Doug Field is leaving as the company restructures operations, integrating EV responsibilities into a new industrial unit to accelerate Ford+ goals and profitability targets announced Wednesday in Detroit.

Ford Reshapes EV And Software Organization

Ford Motor Co. is creating a new Product Creation and Industrialization organization as part of a broader restructuring aimed at simplifying its operations and speeding up development of electric and software-defined vehicles. The unit will integrate responsibilities previously held by Field into Ford’s global industrial systems group, aligning product development with manufacturing and cost targets tied to its Ford+ strategy.

The unit is designed to unify vehicle engineering, software development, and production planning under one structure. Executives say the change is intended to reduce complexity and improve execution across the company’s next generation of vehicles.

Field Steps Down During Transition Period

Field, who joined Ford in 2021 after senior roles at Tesla and Apple, will remain through a transition period of about one month, the company said Wednesday. Ford said he “elected to leave,” and did not disclose plans.

Chief Executive Officer Jim Farley said the move marks a key moment in the automaker’s transformation and praised Field’s contributions. “Ford today is a very important moment for us at Ford, really for our next chapter,” Farley said.

Ford said Field’s responsibilities will be absorbed into the new structure without naming a direct replacement, signaling a shift toward centralized leadership under the reorganization.

Ford Doubles Down On EV, Software Strategy

Farley said the company’s upcoming electric vehicle push, including a midsize pickup built on its Universal Electric Vehicle platform, remains on track and represents a critical step in Ford’s next-generation product strategy. Field said during a call with media that the program is positioned to continue without disruption and that his team is ready to execute during the transition.

Ford EV Chief Doug also detailed an expanded restructuring plan that aims to refresh 80% of its North American vehicle lineup by volume and 70% globally by 2029. The company said it is targeting an 8% adjusted EBIT margin by 2029 under its Ford+ plan, relying on streamlined operations, new vehicle architectures, and expanded software services.

By 2030, Ford expects nearly all of its global nameplates to offer some form of electrified powertrain, including hybrids and extended-range electric vehicles. It also plans for most vehicles to feature updated electrical architectures and over-the-air update capabilities to support continuous software improvements. BlueCruise and other digital services are expected to expand as part of the rollout.

Financial Pressure And Strategic Reset

Ford’s transformation comes after uneven financial performance in its electric vehicle and software divisions. The company previously reported a $19.5 billion write-down tied to EV adjustments and restructuring priorities, reflecting slower-than-expected software revenue growth.

Executives said the latest changes are intended to reduce complexity and improve execution across product development and manufacturing. Kumar Galhotra, who will lead the new organization, said the structure positions Ford to deliver vehicles and digital services at scale with improved profitability.

Industry analysts have noted that automakers are recalibrating Ford EV Chief Doug’s timelines amid shifting demand and higher development costs, though Ford continues to maintain its long-term electrification commitments.

Ford did not announce a direct replacement for Field.

“With this unified organization, I believe we’re better positioned than ever to deliver high-quality vehicles, advanced digital experiences, and profitable services at scale,” Galhotra said.

“Ford will be changed by taking these products all the way over the finish line,” Field said.