Ford, the eighth manufacturer in the world with 3.9 million vehicles marketed in 2021 (up from 5.4 in 2019), has chosen to completely separate the automotive activities related to combustion engines from electric ones by creating two separate divisions, Ford Model and for electric and Ford Blue for combustion engine cars.
The objective of the Ford + plan is to enable the development – also in terms of design – of specific vehicles. Ford Blue will focus on conventionally fueled vehicles to aim not only at growth, but also at profitability “by relentlessly attacking costs, simplifying operations and improving quality”: there is talk of a reduction in structural ones by up to $ 3 billion .
The Ford Model e (the name challenge had already prevented Elon Musk from presenting a Sexy range, ie with the initials of the various Californian cars) “will accelerate the innovation and supply of revolutionary large-scale electric vehicles and develop software and technologies and services “for those connected to the Blue Oval.
In the objectives of the American giant, the reorganization should make it possible to reach an Ebit, profit before taxes, of 10% already by 2026, i.e. almost double that recorded in 2021 (5.4%), on which the shortage of semiconductors, which almost only premium brands have managed to turn into a benefit, has been affected.
Also by 2026, Ford also estimates that it will be able to produce more than 2 million electric vehicles: currently it has the only one in the range Ford Mustang Mach Ein addition to the commercial Transit. The zero-emission variant of its top seller, the pick-up, will also arrive by the end of the year F-150 Lightning. By 2030, half of the Detroit manufacturer’s global volumes will depend on zero-emission vehicles on the road. The distribution network will also undergo changes, with a number of dedicated dealers for electric models.
The former European number one Jim Farley remains CEO of the Blue Oval, but retains responsibility for the strategic Model e division.
The internal revolution will be led by a Chief Transformation and Quality Officer, identified in the current head of operations in the Old Continent, Stuart Rowley, although it is unclear how long he can hold the dual role. Product development will be entrusted to Doug Field as Chief EV and Digital Products: the same manager also remains director of software development and systems integration for all divisions of Ford. The other two appointments that matter are those of Marin Gjaja, who will handle sales in the electricity sector (Chief Costumer Offier Model e), e Kumar Galhotra, Ford’s sales number one so far, designated at the top of the Ford Blue division.
