Ford said to be replacing CE Mark Fields with Smart Mobility unit’s Jim Hackett
Southfield — Ford is replacing embattled CEO Mark Fields with Jim Hackett, a turnaround specialist who has been leading the vehicle maker’s moves into self-driving cars and ride sharing, according to a person familiar with the move. The company planned to announce early on Monday that Fields was retiring and Hackett would move up from his position as head of Ford’s Smart Mobility unit, said the person, who asked not to be identified revealing internal plans. The company could not confirm any media speculation, a representative at Ford China’s communications department said by phone in response to an earlier Forbes report on the executive changes. Hackett revived the fortunes of office furniture maker Steelcase as CEO from 1994 to 2014 and his promotion indicates that Ford is looking to seize on that expertise as consumer demands change. Field’s departure comes amid a more than 30% plunge in Ford’s stock since Fields took the helm on July 1 2014, and shareholders have assailed manage...
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