Mark Fields

Mark Fields
Born	Template:Birth year and age
Nationality	American
Occupation	Business executive, corporate board member
Employer	Fluor Corporation (board member)
Known for	President 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. As of 2025, Fields serves on the board of directors of Fluor Corporation, a major engineering and construction firm.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.