Ford Puts Ford Blue, EV Division Under One Leader

Ford Motor Co. has decided to consolidate its leadership for both gas and hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles under Andrew Frick, who will oversee the Ford Blue internal combustion business and the Model e EV division, while also leading the Ford Pro commercial division. This restructuring comes as Ford recognizes the challenges faced in enhancing its electric vehicle market presence, which has proven more difficult than initially anticipated since the company's 2022 decision to form separate divisions for its legacy and EV businesses. The new leadership changes include Kay Hart, who previously achieved record profitability for Ford's international markets, reporting to Frick as the general manager of Model e. Additionally, Sam Wu will expand his role to lead the international markets group, leveraging his successful turnaround of Ford's operations in China, which is critical for growth. Daniel Justo has been appointed to head customer experience initiatives aimed at enhancing service for Ford's EV and traditional vehicle customers. Sherry House will take over as chief financial officer. From an expert perspective in transportation, this strategic shift highlights a growing trend among automotive manufacturers to bridge the gap between traditional combustion engine technology and electric mobility. The integration of leadership roles can facilitate clearer strategic alignment, enhance resource allocation, and improve supplier partnerships, particularly as the global market rapidly moves towards electrification. It reflects an understanding that managing both technology streams effectively is essential for manufacturers to remain competitive, especially in a landscape increasingly dominated by agile startups and established leaders in the EV domain like Tesla.