Ford confirms appointment of new CEO
Ford Motor Company has confirmed the appointment of Jim Hackett as its new president and CEO. Hackett succeeds Mark Fields, who is retiring.
As Post&Parcel reported this morning, speculation about Hackett’s elevation to CEO appeared in various media outlets on Friday.
Hackett served on the Ford board from 2013 and 2016. In March 2016 he became head of the Smart Mobility unit, which is driving forward Ford’s plans for autonomous and connected vehicles.
In a statement issued today (22 May), Ford said that Hackett will work with Executive Chairman Bill Ford to focus on three priorities: sharpening operational execution; modernizing the business, which will include “increasingly leveraging big data, artificial intelligence, advanced robotics, 3D printing and more”; and “transforming the company to meet future challenges”.
Given Hackett’s ties with the Smart Mobility unit and today’s talk of AI and advanced robotics, it seems likely that Ford may be looking to ramp up its involvement with connected and autonomous vehicle technology.
While Hackett moves into the CEO role, Marcy Klevorn has been named as the new head of the Smart Mobility business.
