Ford Reshuffles Leadership, Forms New Unit to Hit Profit Target

Automaker aims to refresh 80% of North American portfolio and 70% of global lineup by 2029.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 8:36pm

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An abstract, colorful image depicting a Ford vehicle in motion, with blurred lines and shapes conveying a sense of speed, technology, and transformation.Ford's sweeping organizational changes aim to accelerate the rollout of new vehicles, software, and services to improve profitability and competitiveness.Today in Detroit

Ford Motor Company announced a series of sweeping organizational changes, including the formation of a new Product Creation and Industrialization team led by COO Kumar Galhotra. The goal is to help Ford hit an 8% adjusted earnings before interest and taxes profit margin by 2029 through faster product development, software integration, and electrification efforts. As part of the changes, Ford's chief EV design leader, Doug Field, will be leaving the company after a transition period.

Why it matters

These changes are part of Ford's broader strategy to transform itself into a more efficient, technology-driven automaker that can better compete in the rapidly evolving automotive landscape. By streamlining its product development and manufacturing processes, Ford aims to improve profitability and roll out a wave of new electric, connected, and software-enhanced vehicles over the next several years.

The details

The new Product Creation and Industrialization team will integrate Ford's Electric Vehicle, Digital and Design divisions with its global Industrial System. This will allow Ford to make its highest volume vehicles more profitable through initiatives like refreshing 80% of its North American portfolio and 70% of its global lineup by 2029, launching new EVs and pickups on its Universal Electric Vehicle platform, and continuously improving its electrical architectures, user experiences, and over-the-air capabilities. Ford is also promoting Alan Clarke to lead its Advanced Development Projects and announcing the retirement of Kieran Cahill, Ford's VP of manufacturing in Europe.

  • Ford announced the organizational changes on April 15, 2026.
  • The company aims to hit its 8% adjusted EBIT profit margin target by 2029.
  • Doug Field will be leaving Ford after a transition period of about one month.

The players

Jim Farley

CEO of Ford Motor Company.

Kumar Galhotra

Chief Operating Officer of Ford, who will lead the new Product Creation and Industrialization team.

Doug Field

Ford's chief EV design leader who is leaving the company after nearly five years.

Alan Clarke

Promoted to vice president of Ford's Advanced Development Projects.

Kieran Cahill

Ford's vice president of manufacturing in Europe who is retiring after a 37-year career at the company.

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What they’re saying

“This is the delivery organization at this moment in time, and it really captures all the progress we've made. But this also allows us to integrate it and reduces the complexity in the company, so we can go even further.”

— Jim Farley, CEO, Ford Motor Company

“The progress our teams have made in the past few years — from quality and cost to software delivery — has fundamentally reshaped the way we work and positioned Ford for a new era. By uniting advanced technology with industrial execution, we can make decisions faster, eliminate complexity, and deliver great vehicles and digital experiences with the quality and efficiency our customers and shareholders expect.”

— Kumar Galhotra, Chief Operating Officer, Ford Motor Company

“I believe Ford now has a winning technology strategy and plan. The first breakthrough product off the Universal EV platform — a mid-size pickup — is on its way to production. We have clearly defined hardware, software, and electrification plans across our full product line. The initial quality of our core technologies is now near the top of the industry. Most importantly, we have incredibly talented teams across these disciplines, ready to carry Ford into the future. I am completely confident in them and so excited to see their work in the coming years.”

— Doug Field

What’s next

Ford will begin rolling out its first vehicle on the new Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform, a mid-sized pickup, next year. The company also plans to launch the next-generation F-150 and F-Series Super Duty as part of its broader product refresh efforts.

The takeaway

These organizational changes at Ford signal the automaker's commitment to becoming a more efficient, technology-driven company that can better compete in the rapidly evolving automotive industry. By streamlining its product development and manufacturing processes, Ford aims to improve profitability and deliver a wave of new electric, connected, and software-enhanced vehicles to market in the coming years.