by Large-Scale Model Line Update
Ford is preparing one of the most extensive product updates in recent years and is reorganizing the company to achieve this goal. The automaker plans to update 70 percent of its global model line by 2029. To support these efforts, a new internal organization has been created that integrates electric vehicle development, digital technology, and design teams with the company’s global industrial system.
According to Ford, this structure will ensure “one of the most intensive updates of products, software, and services in Ford’s history.”
New Structure and Key Models
The new group, called “Product Creation and Industrialization,” will be led by Kumar Galhotra. In addition to the global goal, Ford states that 80 percent of its North American portfolio by volume will also be updated by 2029. This includes the next generation of F-150 and F-Series Super Duty pickups, as well as a new mid-size pickup built on Ford’s Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform.
Jim Farley, CEO of Ford, stated: “This is the culmination of years of work and progress to create a modern Ford — a talented, unified organization capable of scaling high-quality, software-defined vehicles with powertrain choice, distinctive digital experience and features, and a personalized ownership experience that improves over time.”
Technological Innovations and Electrification
The UEV platform, developed by a dedicated team, uses single-sheet casting to reduce weight and complexity. It also features a highly efficient powertrain and a fully zonal electrical architecture, supported by proprietary software and advanced driver assistance systems.
As part of the product update, nearly 90 percent of Ford’s global models will offer electrified powertrains by 2030, including hybrids, extended-range electric vehicles, and fully electric vehicles. Interestingly, Ford notes that work on the UEV platform will also benefit its hybrids thanks to new highly efficient engines.
Leadership Changes
Ford’s deep internal restructuring is accompanied by a notable departure from top management. The company confirmed that Doug Field, who joined five years ago to lead the advancement in electrified, connected, and software-defined vehicles, will leave his position within the next month.
Field played a central role in shaping the new “Product Creation and Industrialization” organization, the very group responsible for streamlining development in hardware, software, and manufacturing. His departure comes at a critical moment, as Ford relies on this structure to implement the large-scale product update and aims to achieve an 8-percent EBIT margin by 2029.
These plans indicate a radical shift in course for one of the world’s oldest automakers. The emphasis on integrating software and hardware components through a single team is a direct response to the challenges posed by competitors like Tesla. The success of this strategy will depend not only on technological innovations like the UEV platform but also on the company’s ability to maintain leadership stability and effectively execute planned programs amid changes such as the departure of key executives. Ford’s future is being shaped now, and the next few years will determine whether it can combine its traditional strength in the commercial segment and pickups with the necessary speed and flexibility in the era of electricity and software.
