Ford Just Poached a Top Tech Executive Who Helped Apple’s Secret Car Project

American automaker Ford has hired former Tesla and Apple executive Doug Field to lead the company’s emerging technology efforts.

This is a big move considering that Field had helped in Apple’s secret car project.
Apple, in an emailed statement, said: “We’re grateful for the contributions Doug has made to Apple and we wish him all the best in this next chapter.”

Field had also led development of Tesla’s Model 3 but recently was serving as vice president of special projects at Apple, which reportedly included the Titan car project.

“I think any time you lose a well-respected, experienced executive who, as best we can tell, was really directing the automotive efforts at Apple, it’s a blow to any company,” Bernstein analyst Toni Sacconaghi said on CNBC’s “Closing Bell.”

Field will serve in the new position of chief advanced technology and embedded systems officer according to a statement from Ford. He will lead Ford’s vehicle controls, enterprise connectivity, features, integration and validation, architecture and platform, driver assistance technology and digital engineering tools, the company added.

“His talent and commitment to innovation that improves customers’ lives will be invaluable as we build out our Ford+ plan to deliver awesome products, always-on customer relationships and ever-improving user experiences,” Ford CEO Jim Farley stated. “We are thrilled Doug chose to join Ford and help write the next amazing chapter of this great company.”

Field declined to discuss his work at Apple, but he said there’s “nothing that prevents me from being fully engaged at Ford.”

Apple doesn’t talk about new products, and I’m not going to talk about my work at Apple either,” Field said on Tuesday during a call with reporters. “But there’s nothing that prevents me from being fully engaged at Ford, and I’m looking forward to using everything I’ve learned from all of the teams I’ve worked with and all the companies I’ve been privileged to be a part of.”

Disclaimer: We have no position in any of the companies mentioned and have not been compensated for this article.