Ford restructures ahead of major portfolio renewal

Ford has established a new end-to-end organisation called Product Creation and Industrialisation, merging its electric vehicle, digital and design team with its global industrial system. The unit, led by Chief Operating Officer Kumar Galhotra, is intended to accelerate delivery of the automaker’s Ford+ plan and its target of an 8% adjusted EBIT margin by 2029.

Ford said it plans to refresh 80% of its North American portfolio by volume by 2029, including the first vehicle built on its Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform, a mid-sized pickup. The UEV platform features a fully zonal architecture with in-house software controls and advanced driver assistance systems, and uses large castings to reduce weight and complexity. Nearly 90% of Ford’s global nameplates will offer electrified powertrains by 2030, spanning hybrids, extended-range electric vehicles and fully electric models.

Jim Farley, President and Chief Executive, said: “This is the culmination of years of work and progress to create the modern Ford, a talented, unified organisation capable of scaling high-quality, software-defined vehicles with a choice of propulsion, distinctive digital experiences and features, and a personalised ownership experience that improves over time.”

Doug Field, who led Ford’s shift to electrified and software-defined vehicles, will leave the company after a transition period. Kieran Cahill, Vice President of Manufacturing for Europe, is retiring after 37 years.

Source: Ford