Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) today said it is making leadership changes to support the development of electric vehicles, strengthen its internal combustion product line, and alter the company’s global supply chain management.* The announcement comes after Ford warned the capital markets earlier this week that because of parts shortages, as well as higher payments made to suppliers to account for the effects of inflation that Q3 supply costs will be ~$1.0 billion above plan. Ford predicts a Q3 adjusted EBIT of between $1.4 billion and $1.7 billion. (AutoInformed: Ford Motor Q3 Earnings to Take $1B Cost Hit)
It’s the latest example of the intricate routes automakers are negotiating in the transition to electric vehicles that is accelerating in the face of the dire effects of global warming, some of it caused by the transportation industries’ ongoing use of fossil fuels and what was in effect denial of the negative consequences of the exclusive use of fossil fuels. Ford’s challenge is to profitably maintain a line of both EVs from Ford Model e and so-called Ford Blue internal combustion vehicles that at some point – perhaps near at hand – are doomed. **
Hau Thai-Tang, chief industrial platform officer, is retiring 1 October after a more-than-34-year career with Ford. This was previously announced. Dave Filipe, vice president, vehicle hardware modules, is also retiring, effective 1 December, after 30 years with the company.
The New Executives and Roles
- Doug Field takes on expanded role as chief advanced product development and technology officer as Ford Model e scales electric and digitally-enabled vehicles.
- Jim Baumbick named vice president, product development operations, cycle planning and internal combustion engine programs. He will oversee all product development for Ford Blue.
- John Lawler, Ford CFO, will oversee a rehab of Ford’s global supply chain operations on an interim basis until a chief global supply chain officer is selected.
- Jonathan Jennings, vice president, supply chain, will also take additional responsibility for supplier technical assistance and quality. He will report to Lawler.
- Roz Ho and Jae Park join Ford from HP and Google, respectively. Together with Sammy Omari (formerly of Motional), and Rob Bedichek (formerly Intel and Apple), they will work on Ford’s push to develop fully connected, software-defined vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems.
*AutoInformed on
**In May of 2021, CEO Jim Farley introduced the Ford+ plan, calling it the company’s biggest opportunity for growth and value creation since Henry Ford scaled production of the Model T. The formation of two distinct businesses, Ford Blue and Ford Model e, along with the new Ford Pro business, will – it’s hoped -increase growth by 2 million units and ultimately allow Ford to outperform both legacy automakers and new EV competitors. (AutoInformed: Ford Motor Posts Tepid Q4, FY 2021 Financial Results; Ford Motor 2020 Loss $1.3 Billion. Microchip Shortage Looms)
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Ford Changes Supply Chain and Product Development Execs
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) today said it is making leadership changes to support the development of electric vehicles, strengthen its internal combustion product line, and alter the company’s global supply chain management.* The announcement comes after Ford warned the capital markets earlier this week that because of parts shortages, as well as higher payments made to suppliers to account for the effects of inflation that Q3 supply costs will be ~$1.0 billion above plan. Ford predicts a Q3 adjusted EBIT of between $1.4 billion and $1.7 billion. (AutoInformed: Ford Motor Q3 Earnings to Take $1B Cost Hit)
It’s the latest example of the intricate routes automakers are negotiating in the transition to electric vehicles that is accelerating in the face of the dire effects of global warming, some of it caused by the transportation industries’ ongoing use of fossil fuels and what was in effect denial of the negative consequences of the exclusive use of fossil fuels. Ford’s challenge is to profitably maintain a line of both EVs from Ford Model e and so-called Ford Blue internal combustion vehicles that at some point – perhaps near at hand – are doomed. **
Hau Thai-Tang, chief industrial platform officer, is retiring 1 October after a more-than-34-year career with Ford. This was previously announced. Dave Filipe, vice president, vehicle hardware modules, is also retiring, effective 1 December, after 30 years with the company.
The New Executives and Roles
*AutoInformed on
**In May of 2021, CEO Jim Farley introduced the Ford+ plan, calling it the company’s biggest opportunity for growth and value creation since Henry Ford scaled production of the Model T. The formation of two distinct businesses, Ford Blue and Ford Model e, along with the new Ford Pro business, will – it’s hoped -increase growth by 2 million units and ultimately allow Ford to outperform both legacy automakers and new EV competitors. (AutoInformed: Ford Motor Posts Tepid Q4, FY 2021 Financial Results; Ford Motor 2020 Loss $1.3 Billion. Microchip Shortage Looms)
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.