Did Ford's Doug Field Groom His Replacement?
Ford’s electric‑vehicle chief Doug Field may be positioning Alan Clark as his successor, according to Mike the Car Geek. The discussion centers on Ford’s universal EV (UEV) platform and recent leadership signals. Clark now oversees advanced vehicle development and the UEV, which currently supports only compact and midsize models. Field’s comments suggest the platform lacks the flexibility for a three‑row Explorer‑type EV, implying new hardware will be required. Mike the Car Geek noted the absence of an official reorganization announcement, interpreting Field’s moves as groundwork for Clark’s promotion. Clark’s Tesla pedigree is highlighted, and the talk of a “skunkworks” effort hints at a separate program for larger EVs. If Ford expands beyond the UEV, it could accelerate its entry into the lucrative full‑size electric SUV market, while a leadership handoff may signal continuity in its aggressive EV rollout.
The $57 Billion Secret: Why Warranty & Recall Costs Are Exploding
The video highlights a surge in automotive warranty and recall expenditures, which reached $57 billion last year—a 63 % jump from $35 billion a decade ago. Data from 13 publicly traded manufacturers across the U.S., Europe, Japan and China show Volkswagen topping the list...
Ford's Reorg; The 2026 Arsenal of Democracy ; Geely Takes Aim At Toyota
Ford announced a major reorganization as chief engineer Doug Field departs, signaling a shift in its electric‑vehicle strategy. The U.S. Pentagon reached out to Detroit automakers, expressing interest in leveraging automotive expertise for weapons platforms. Chinese giant Geely unveiled plans...
The SDV Conundrum: How To Catch Up With China - AAH 786
The Autoline After Hours discussion focused on software‑defined vehicles (SDVs) and highlighted a new Alex Partners study showing Chinese automakers sprinting ahead of their Western counterparts. The panel defined SDVs as vehicles whose functions can be updated long after...
Proposed Hybrid & EV Tax Wouldn't Be Fair
The video examines a pending congressional proposal to levy a $250 flat annual fee on battery‑electric vehicles and a $100 charge on hybrids, ostensibly to compensate for the loss of fuel‑tax revenue used for road upkeep. It also highlights the...