Ford advances EV executive into global design role

Ford has promoted a design executive in charge of its Model e electric vehicle (EV) division to a global design role, set to lead both Ford and Lincoln brand vehicle models.

On Tuesday, Ford announced that it is promoting EV Design Director Todd Willing to Global Design Director as a replacement for Anthony Lo, who left the company in May (via Automotive News). Willing has been with Ford since 2003, overseeing exterior design for the 2017 GT Supercar, and developing global models like the 2010 Focus, the 2009 Fiesta, and the  2007 Mondeo.

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“Willing is a leader who grasps Ford’s unique history, recognizes the forces of change and can guide a team to create something new yet unequivocally Ford,” a spokesperson for the automaker told Automotive News.

The decision is effective as of Tuesday, following a number of other roles held by the 21-year Ford veteran. He also worked in England, Germany, Japan, and the U.S., in addition to heading Ford’s Melbourne, Australia-based Asia-Pacific design studio.

Willing’s promotion also comes as Ford continues to shift its EV strategy, with the automaker recently teasing plans to delay or cancel multiple planned EV releases. Last month, Ford also lost about half of its incentives from the state of Michigan due to cancelled EV plans.

Ford this month announced that three-row SUVs that were initially going to be battery-electric will now instead by produced with hybrid powertrains. The company is also shifting toward a new mid-sized EV pickup slated for 2027, as well as an increased focus on a commercial van and the continued production of the E-Transit.

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