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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name         = Mark Fields
| name = Mark Fields
| birth_date   = {{Birth year and age|1961}}
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1961}}
| nationality = American
| nationality = American
| occupation   = Business executive, corporate board member
| occupation = Business executive, corporate board member
| known_for   = President and CEO of [[Ford Motor Company]] (2014–2017)
| known_for = President and CEO of [[Ford Motor Company]] (2014–2017)
| employer     = [[Fluor Corporation]] (board member)
| employer = [[Fluor Corporation]] (board member)
}}
}}


'''Mark Fields''' (born 1961) is an American business executive who served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of [[Ford Motor Company]] from 2014 to 2017. A career automotive industry leader, Fields rose through the ranks at Ford over more than two decades, holding senior positions in the company's operations across multiple continents before ascending to its top leadership role. His tenure as CEO was marked by efforts to reposition Ford as both an automaker and a mobility company, investing in autonomous vehicle technology, ride-sharing ventures, and electric vehicles. Since departing Ford, Fields has remained active in the corporate world as a board member and commentator on the automotive industry, offering analysis on topics including the transition to electric vehicles and the challenges facing legacy automakers. As of 2025, he serves on the board of directors of [[Fluor Corporation]], a major engineering and construction firm.<ref name="marketbeat">{{cite news |date=2026-02-23 |title=Mark Fields Sells 5,178 Shares of Fluor (NYSE:FLR) Stock |url=https://www.marketbeat.com/instant-alerts/mark-fields-sells-5178-shares-of-fluor-nyseflr-stock-2026-02-23/ |work=MarketBeat |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
'''Mark Fields''' (born 1961) is an American business executive who served as the [[President]] and [[Chief Executive Officer]] of [[Ford Motor Company]] from 2014 to 2017. A career automotive industry executive, Fields spent more than two decades at Ford, rising through a series of senior leadership positions before assuming the company's top role. His tenure as CEO was marked by efforts to position Ford as both an automobile manufacturer and a mobility company, with investments in autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, and ride-sharing technologies. Prior to leading Ford, Fields held key roles including President of Ford's Americas division and oversaw the company's operations during a period of significant industry transformation. After departing Ford, Fields has remained active in the corporate world as a board member and public commentator on the automotive industry, particularly on topics related to [[electric vehicle]] adoption and market dynamics.<ref name="yahoo">{{cite news |date=2025-10-27 |title=Former Ford CEO Mark Fields Says US EV Demand Will See 'Gradual Growth' As Customers Pivot Away From Combustion Vehicles In Long Term |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/former-ford-ceo-mark-fields-213109746.html |work=Yahoo Finance |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="bi">{{cite news |date=2025-10-14 |title=Former Ford CEO says automakers 'went full bore' into making EVs without thinking about the consumer |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/former-ford-ceo-mark-fields-automaker-invest-ev-consumer-demand-2025-10 |work=Business Insider |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> As of 2025, Fields serves on the board of directors of [[Fluor Corporation]], a major engineering and construction firm.<ref name="fluor">{{cite news |date=2026-02-23 |title=Mark Fields Sells 5,178 Shares of Fluor (NYSE:FLR) Stock |url=https://www.marketbeat.com/instant-alerts/mark-fields-sells-5178-shares-of-fluor-nyseflr-stock-2026-02-23/ |work=MarketBeat |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
 
== Early Life ==
 
Mark Fields was born in 1961 in the United States. Details regarding his family background and childhood are not extensively documented in publicly available sources. He grew up during a period of significant transformation in the American automotive industry, which would later become the defining arena of his professional career.


== Career ==
== Career ==
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=== Rise at Ford Motor Company ===
=== Rise at Ford Motor Company ===


Fields built his career at Ford Motor Company over a span of more than two decades. He held a series of increasingly senior leadership positions within the global automaker, gaining experience in multiple international markets and business divisions. His responsibilities grew to encompass oversight of major regional operations, and he became known within the company as a results-oriented executive capable of managing large-scale organizational challenges.
Mark Fields built his career primarily within [[Ford Motor Company]], where he held a succession of increasingly senior positions over more than two decades. He gained a reputation within the company as an operationally focused executive, and his advancement through the corporate hierarchy reflected his role in managing several of Ford's major business units. Fields served in leadership positions overseeing Ford's operations in various global markets, including stints leading the company's operations in regions outside North America. His appointment to lead Ford's Americas division was a significant step in his progression toward the company's top leadership role, as the Americas business represented Ford's largest and most profitable market.


Fields served in leadership roles in Ford's operations in both North America and internationally, including a significant period overseeing the company's business in the Asia-Pacific region and in South America. He also played a key role in leading Ford's Americas division, which represented the company's largest and most profitable market. His track record in these positions positioned him as a leading candidate for the company's top executive role.
=== President and CEO of Ford (2014–2017) ===


=== President and CEO of Ford Motor Company (2014–2017) ===
Fields was appointed President and CEO of Ford Motor Company in 2014, succeeding [[Alan Mulally]], who had been credited with guiding the company through the [[financial crisis of 2007–2008]] without requiring a government bailout. As CEO, Fields pursued a strategic vision that sought to redefine Ford beyond its traditional identity as an automaker. Under his leadership, the company made significant investments in emerging technologies, including [[autonomous driving]], [[electric vehicles]], and [[ride-sharing]] platforms. Fields articulated a vision for Ford as both an auto and a [[mobility]] company, reflecting broader industry trends toward connectivity and new forms of transportation.


Fields was appointed President and CEO of Ford Motor Company in 2014, succeeding [[Alan Mulally]], who had led the company through the [[2008 financial crisis]] without accepting a government bailout — a distinction among the Detroit "Big Three" automakers. Fields inherited a company that was financially stable but facing an industry in rapid transformation due to emerging technologies, changing consumer preferences, and the rise of [[Silicon Valley]] competitors in the mobility and autonomous driving spaces.
During Fields's time as CEO, Ford made notable investments in technology companies and partnerships aimed at developing self-driving car capabilities. The company also announced plans to expand its electric vehicle lineup, reflecting growing regulatory pressure and shifting consumer interest toward electrification. However, Ford's stock price experienced declines during portions of his tenure, and the company faced challenges related to profitability in certain markets and product segments.


During his tenure, Fields sought to redefine Ford's identity beyond that of a traditional automaker. He articulated a vision of Ford as both an auto and a mobility company, directing substantial investment toward autonomous vehicle technology, connectivity, and electric vehicle development. Under his leadership, Ford made strategic investments in companies and startups working on ride-sharing, autonomous driving software, and related technologies. The company also announced plans to invest in electric vehicle platforms.
Fields departed from the CEO role in May 2017, when the Ford board of directors replaced him with [[Jim Hackett]], who had been leading the company's autonomous vehicle subsidiary, Ford Smart Mobility. The leadership transition was widely interpreted as a signal that the board sought a different approach to the company's transformation strategy, though Fields's investments in technology and mobility laid groundwork for Ford's subsequent direction under both Hackett and his successor, [[Jim Farley]].


Fields led Ford during a period when the company's stock price faced pressure, even as the company posted strong profits, particularly from its North American truck and SUV lineup. Investors expressed concerns about the pace of the company's transition to new technologies relative to competitors, and about the profitability outlook of Ford's international operations. In May 2017, Ford's board of directors replaced Fields as CEO with [[Jim Hackett]], who had been leading the company's autonomous vehicle subsidiary, Ford Smart Mobility.
Fields was 64 years old as of October 2025.<ref name="bi" />


=== Post-Ford Career and Industry Commentary ===
=== Post-Ford Career ===


Following his departure from Ford, Fields transitioned into roles as a corporate board member and industry commentator. He joined the board of directors of [[Fluor Corporation]], a publicly traded engineering and construction company listed on the [[New York Stock Exchange]]. As of February 2026, Fields remained active as a Fluor board member; a securities filing in February 2026 disclosed that he sold 5,178 shares of Fluor Corporation stock.<ref name="marketbeat" />
After leaving Ford, Fields transitioned into roles as a corporate board member and industry commentator. He joined the board of directors of [[Fluor Corporation]], a publicly traded engineering and construction company listed on the [[New York Stock Exchange]]. In February 2026, regulatory filings disclosed that Fields sold 5,178 shares of Fluor stock in a transaction, reflecting his ongoing involvement with the company as an insider.<ref name="fluor" />


Fields has also become a prominent voice in discussions about the automotive industry's transition to electric vehicles. In October 2025, he offered analysis on the trajectory of EV adoption in the United States, predicting that demand for electric vehicles would experience "gradual growth" over the long term as consumers eventually pivot away from internal combustion engine vehicles.<ref name="yahoo">{{cite news |date=2025-10-27 |title=Former Ford CEO Mark Fields Says US EV Demand Will See 'Gradual Growth' As Customers Pivot Away From Combustion Vehicles In Long Term |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/former-ford-ceo-mark-fields-213109746.html |work=Yahoo Finance |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> His comments reflected a nuanced view of the market, acknowledging the long-term direction toward electrification while cautioning that the transition would not be as rapid as some industry participants had anticipated.
Fields has also served as a commentator on automotive industry trends, offering analysis on the evolving electric vehicle market and the strategic challenges facing automakers. His post-Ford commentary has frequently addressed the pace and trajectory of the industry's transition from [[internal combustion engine]] vehicles to electric vehicles.


In an October 2025 interview with [[Business Insider]], Fields, then 64 years old, offered a critical assessment of how automakers — including his former employer — had approached the electric vehicle market. He stated that automakers "went full bore" into manufacturing electric vehicles without adequately considering the consumer experience and the practical barriers to EV adoption. Fields argued that the industry had not sufficiently thought about what it would take to persuade mainstream consumers to switch from combustion-engine vehicles to electric alternatives, including issues related to pricing, charging infrastructure, range anxiety, and the overall value proposition for buyers.<ref name="bi">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2025-10-14 |title=Former Ford CEO says automakers 'went full bore' into making EVs without thinking about the consumer |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/former-ford-ceo-mark-fields-automaker-invest-ev-consumer-demand-2025-10 |work=Business Insider |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
=== Views on the Electric Vehicle Market ===


This perspective was echoed in coverage by Ford Authority, an automotive news outlet, which reported on Fields's assertion that EV market share growth would be gradual moving forward, largely due to pricing disparities between electric and combustion-engine vehicles and an insufficient charging infrastructure network in the United States.<ref name="fordauthority">{{cite news |date=2025-10-28 |title=Former Ford CEO Mark Fields Says EV Market Growth Will Be Gradual: Video |url=https://fordauthority.com/2025/10/former-ford-ceo-mark-fields-says-ev-market-growth-will-be-gradual-video/ |work=Ford Authority |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Fields's commentary positioned him as a pragmatic voice in an industry debate often characterized by competing narratives of rapid disruption versus incremental change.
In public appearances and media interviews following his tenure at Ford, Fields has offered a measured perspective on the pace of electric vehicle adoption in the United States. In October 2025, Fields stated that U.S. demand for electric vehicles would experience "gradual growth" over the long term as customers eventually pivot away from combustion vehicles.<ref name="yahoo" /> He framed the transition as a long-term trend rather than a rapid shift, citing factors including pricing disparities between electric and conventional vehicles and insufficient charging infrastructure as barriers to faster adoption.<ref name="fordauth">{{cite news |date=2025-10-28 |title=Former Ford CEO Mark Fields Says EV Market Growth Will Be Gradual: Video |url=https://fordauthority.com/2025/10/former-ford-ceo-mark-fields-says-ev-market-growth-will-be-gradual-video/ |work=Ford Authority |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


His public statements on the EV transition have drawn attention because of his unique vantage point as a former CEO of one of the world's largest automakers, one who both championed the early stages of Ford's electrification strategy and subsequently observed the challenges that materialized as the industry scaled its EV ambitions. Fields's critique that the industry had prioritized production capacity over consumer readiness resonated with broader industry trends observed in 2024 and 2025, during which several automakers revised or delayed their EV production targets in response to slower-than-expected demand growth.
In an October 2025 interview with [[Business Insider]], Fields offered a critique of the automotive industry's approach to the electric vehicle transition, stating that automakers "went full bore" into manufacturing electric vehicles without adequately considering the consumer experience and what it would take to persuade buyers to switch from gasoline-powered cars. He suggested that the industry had focused heavily on production capacity and product development while underestimating the importance of consumer readiness, including concerns about vehicle range, charging availability, and total cost of ownership.<ref name="bi" />


=== Board Memberships and Corporate Governance ===
Fields's commentary reflected a broader debate within the automotive industry about the appropriate pace of the EV transition. His remarks positioned him as a voice advocating for a more consumer-centric approach to electrification, emphasizing that market share growth for electric vehicles would depend on addressing practical concerns rather than relying solely on regulatory mandates or corporate investment commitments. According to Ford Authority, Fields indicated that pricing disparities and an inadequate charging network remained significant obstacles to broader EV adoption as of late 2025.<ref name="fordauth" />


In addition to his role at Fluor Corporation, Fields has been involved in corporate governance activities consistent with his experience as a senior executive of a Fortune 500 company. His sale of Fluor shares in February 2026, as reported in securities filings, reflected routine insider transactions subject to regulatory disclosure requirements.<ref name="marketbeat" /> Such transactions are standard among corporate board members who receive stock-based compensation as part of their service.
His perspective carried particular weight given his experience leading one of the largest automakers in the world during a period when the industry was beginning to commit substantial capital to electric vehicle programs. Fields's observations suggested that the strategic decisions made during and after his tenure — including those at Ford and across the broader industry — had in some cases outpaced consumer demand and market infrastructure.


== Personal Life ==
== Personal Life ==


Mark Fields was born in 1961.<ref name="bi" /> As of 2025, he was 64 years old.<ref name="bi" /> Specific details about his personal life, including family and residence, are not extensively documented in the publicly available sources reviewed for this article.
Mark Fields maintains a relatively private personal life. Public records and corporate filings identify him primarily through his professional roles. As of the mid-2020s, he continues to reside in the United States and remains engaged in business activities through his board memberships and public commentary on the automotive industry.<ref name="fluor" /><ref name="yahoo" />
 
== Legacy ==
 
Mark Fields's tenure at Ford Motor Company, while spanning only three years as CEO, took place during a period that proved to be a critical inflection point for the global automotive industry. His efforts to position Ford as a mobility company anticipated many of the strategic directions that the industry would subsequently pursue more aggressively, including investment in autonomous driving, connectivity, and electrification.
 
His post-CEO commentary on the EV market has contributed to industry discourse, particularly his argument that automakers invested heavily in electric vehicle production without adequately addressing consumer concerns about pricing, charging infrastructure, and the overall ownership experience.<ref name="bi" /><ref name="yahoo" /> This perspective gained relevance as the industry encountered headwinds in EV adoption rates during the mid-2020s, validating some of the concerns Fields had articulated.
 
Fields's career trajectory — from operational leadership across Ford's global divisions to the CEO suite and subsequently to board-level governance and public commentary — exemplifies a pattern common among senior automotive executives, who often continue to shape industry discourse well after their operational tenures conclude. His views on the pace and nature of the electric vehicle transition have been cited by multiple business and automotive news outlets, reflecting his continued relevance as an industry voice.<ref name="yahoo" /><ref name="fordauthority" /><ref name="bi" />


== References ==
== References ==
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[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Ford Motor Company executives]]
[[Category:Ford Motor Company executives]]
[[Category:American chief executives]]
[[Category:American chief executives of manufacturing companies]]
[[Category:American automotive businesspeople]]
[[Category:American corporate directors]]
[[Category:Fluor Corporation people]]
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Latest revision as of 05:56, 24 February 2026




Mark Fields
BornTemplate:Birth year and age
NationalityAmerican
OccupationBusiness executive, corporate board member
EmployerFluor Corporation (board member)
Known forPresident and CEO of Ford Motor Company (2014–2017)

Mark Fields (born 1961) is an American business executive who served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Ford Motor Company from 2014 to 2017. A career automotive industry executive, Fields spent more than two decades at Ford, rising through a series of senior leadership positions before assuming the company's top role. His tenure as CEO was marked by efforts to position Ford as both an automobile manufacturer and a mobility company, with investments in autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, and ride-sharing technologies. Prior to leading Ford, Fields held key roles including President of Ford's Americas division and oversaw the company's operations during a period of significant industry transformation. After departing Ford, Fields has remained active in the corporate world as a board member and public commentator on the automotive industry, particularly on topics related to electric vehicle adoption and market dynamics.[1][2] As of 2025, Fields serves on the board of directors of Fluor Corporation, a major engineering and construction firm.[3]

Career

Rise at Ford Motor Company

Mark Fields built his career primarily within Ford Motor Company, where he held a succession of increasingly senior positions over more than two decades. He gained a reputation within the company as an operationally focused executive, and his advancement through the corporate hierarchy reflected his role in managing several of Ford's major business units. Fields served in leadership positions overseeing Ford's operations in various global markets, including stints leading the company's operations in regions outside North America. His appointment to lead Ford's Americas division was a significant step in his progression toward the company's top leadership role, as the Americas business represented Ford's largest and most profitable market.

President and CEO of Ford (2014–2017)

Fields was appointed President and CEO of Ford Motor Company in 2014, succeeding Alan Mulally, who had been credited with guiding the company through the financial crisis of 2007–2008 without requiring a government bailout. As CEO, Fields pursued a strategic vision that sought to redefine Ford beyond its traditional identity as an automaker. Under his leadership, the company made significant investments in emerging technologies, including autonomous driving, electric vehicles, and ride-sharing platforms. Fields articulated a vision for Ford as both an auto and a mobility company, reflecting broader industry trends toward connectivity and new forms of transportation.

During Fields's time as CEO, Ford made notable investments in technology companies and partnerships aimed at developing self-driving car capabilities. The company also announced plans to expand its electric vehicle lineup, reflecting growing regulatory pressure and shifting consumer interest toward electrification. However, Ford's stock price experienced declines during portions of his tenure, and the company faced challenges related to profitability in certain markets and product segments.

Fields departed from the CEO role in May 2017, when the Ford board of directors replaced him with Jim Hackett, who had been leading the company's autonomous vehicle subsidiary, Ford Smart Mobility. The leadership transition was widely interpreted as a signal that the board sought a different approach to the company's transformation strategy, though Fields's investments in technology and mobility laid groundwork for Ford's subsequent direction under both Hackett and his successor, Jim Farley.

Fields was 64 years old as of October 2025.[2]

Post-Ford Career

After leaving Ford, Fields transitioned into roles as a corporate board member and industry commentator. He joined the board of directors of Fluor Corporation, a publicly traded engineering and construction company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. In February 2026, regulatory filings disclosed that Fields sold 5,178 shares of Fluor stock in a transaction, reflecting his ongoing involvement with the company as an insider.[3]

Fields has also served as a commentator on automotive industry trends, offering analysis on the evolving electric vehicle market and the strategic challenges facing automakers. His post-Ford commentary has frequently addressed the pace and trajectory of the industry's transition from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles.

Views on the Electric Vehicle Market

In public appearances and media interviews following his tenure at Ford, Fields has offered a measured perspective on the pace of electric vehicle adoption in the United States. In October 2025, Fields stated that U.S. demand for electric vehicles would experience "gradual growth" over the long term as customers eventually pivot away from combustion vehicles.[1] He framed the transition as a long-term trend rather than a rapid shift, citing factors including pricing disparities between electric and conventional vehicles and insufficient charging infrastructure as barriers to faster adoption.[4]

In an October 2025 interview with Business Insider, Fields offered a critique of the automotive industry's approach to the electric vehicle transition, stating that automakers "went full bore" into manufacturing electric vehicles without adequately considering the consumer experience and what it would take to persuade buyers to switch from gasoline-powered cars. He suggested that the industry had focused heavily on production capacity and product development while underestimating the importance of consumer readiness, including concerns about vehicle range, charging availability, and total cost of ownership.[2]

Fields's commentary reflected a broader debate within the automotive industry about the appropriate pace of the EV transition. His remarks positioned him as a voice advocating for a more consumer-centric approach to electrification, emphasizing that market share growth for electric vehicles would depend on addressing practical concerns rather than relying solely on regulatory mandates or corporate investment commitments. According to Ford Authority, Fields indicated that pricing disparities and an inadequate charging network remained significant obstacles to broader EV adoption as of late 2025.[4]

His perspective carried particular weight given his experience leading one of the largest automakers in the world during a period when the industry was beginning to commit substantial capital to electric vehicle programs. Fields's observations suggested that the strategic decisions made during and after his tenure — including those at Ford and across the broader industry — had in some cases outpaced consumer demand and market infrastructure.

Personal Life

Mark Fields maintains a relatively private personal life. Public records and corporate filings identify him primarily through his professional roles. As of the mid-2020s, he continues to reside in the United States and remains engaged in business activities through his board memberships and public commentary on the automotive industry.[3][1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Former Ford CEO Mark Fields Says US EV Demand Will See 'Gradual Growth' As Customers Pivot Away From Combustion Vehicles In Long Term".Yahoo Finance.2025-10-27.https://finance.yahoo.com/news/former-ford-ceo-mark-fields-213109746.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Former Ford CEO says automakers 'went full bore' into making EVs without thinking about the consumer".Business Insider.2025-10-14.https://www.businessinsider.com/former-ford-ceo-mark-fields-automaker-invest-ev-consumer-demand-2025-10.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Mark Fields Sells 5,178 Shares of Fluor (NYSE:FLR) Stock".MarketBeat.2026-02-23.https://www.marketbeat.com/instant-alerts/mark-fields-sells-5178-shares-of-fluor-nyseflr-stock-2026-02-23/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Former Ford CEO Mark Fields Says EV Market Growth Will Be Gradual: Video".Ford Authority.2025-10-28.https://fordauthority.com/2025/10/former-ford-ceo-mark-fields-says-ev-market-growth-will-be-gradual-video/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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