Ford CEO Jim Farley has been named MotorTrend's person of the year!
Given what he's done to electrify the Ford lineup and turn the company around for the better it's a fitting honor for him.
www.motortrend.com
Jim Farley took over as Ford CEO on October 1, 2020, succeeding former Steelcase CEO Jim Hackett. The big difference: Farley is a recognized "car guy," the highest praise you can receive in the automotive industry. And he relies on solid car people within his leadership team to turn his vision into sheetmetal and software.
When Farley took over, Ford was perceived as having lost its way and fallen behind the competition, with weak leadership, a frustrating lack of transparency, and scant details behind vague promises that it had a plan and the right vehicles to remain competitive.
Now, Ford's product pipeline has never looked better; it includes a lot of game-changers. People cringed at the notion of an electric SUV badged "Mustang," but Farley's subbrand strategy is working, and the Mustang Mach-E is already outselling the conventional muscle car. The Bronco stumbled out of the gate with roof issues, but that bit of trouble has not dimmed the hype and the halo it forms over the Ford Bronco Sport, which is a well-executed hit. The Maverick found some open field in the truck segment and is poised to draw in new buyers who want to replace their vehicle with a livable, compact pickup that looks like a truck, drives like an SUV, and has clever touches and packaging.
The Ford F-150 lineup goes electric with the forthcoming 2022 Lightning, which will be the quickest and potentially best variant in the stable, with an independent rear suspension, a driving range of about 300 miles, the ability to power your house, and a spectacular frunk for gear or tailgating. Replacing the internal combustion engine in what's been the best-selling truck for 44 years running and making it affordable—the Lightning starts at less than $42,000—will give EVs a giant boost in the marketplace, and has the potential to change a lot of hearts and minds. Ford hopes the Lightning will convert mass volumes of buyers, and every automaker will tell you that once a buyer goes EV, they rarely look back.
Given what he's done to electrify the Ford lineup and turn the company around for the better it's a fitting honor for him.
Ford CEO Jim Farley Is the 2022 MotorTrend Person of the Year
Have you talked about a Ford lately? We're guessing you have.
Jim Farley took over as Ford CEO on October 1, 2020, succeeding former Steelcase CEO Jim Hackett. The big difference: Farley is a recognized "car guy," the highest praise you can receive in the automotive industry. And he relies on solid car people within his leadership team to turn his vision into sheetmetal and software.
When Farley took over, Ford was perceived as having lost its way and fallen behind the competition, with weak leadership, a frustrating lack of transparency, and scant details behind vague promises that it had a plan and the right vehicles to remain competitive.
Now, Ford's product pipeline has never looked better; it includes a lot of game-changers. People cringed at the notion of an electric SUV badged "Mustang," but Farley's subbrand strategy is working, and the Mustang Mach-E is already outselling the conventional muscle car. The Bronco stumbled out of the gate with roof issues, but that bit of trouble has not dimmed the hype and the halo it forms over the Ford Bronco Sport, which is a well-executed hit. The Maverick found some open field in the truck segment and is poised to draw in new buyers who want to replace their vehicle with a livable, compact pickup that looks like a truck, drives like an SUV, and has clever touches and packaging.
The Ford F-150 lineup goes electric with the forthcoming 2022 Lightning, which will be the quickest and potentially best variant in the stable, with an independent rear suspension, a driving range of about 300 miles, the ability to power your house, and a spectacular frunk for gear or tailgating. Replacing the internal combustion engine in what's been the best-selling truck for 44 years running and making it affordable—the Lightning starts at less than $42,000—will give EVs a giant boost in the marketplace, and has the potential to change a lot of hearts and minds. Ford hopes the Lightning will convert mass volumes of buyers, and every automaker will tell you that once a buyer goes EV, they rarely look back.
