Ford poaches Apple's car project chief Doug Field

Michigan, September 8 (Reuters) – The head of Apple Inc’s(AAPL.O) car project, Doug Field, is going to work for Ford Motor Co(F.N)to lead the automaker’s advanced technology and embedded systems efforts, a hiring coup for Ford Chief Executive Jim Farley.

Field most recently served as vice president of special projects at Apple and was previously senior vice president, engineering at Tesla . Earlier in his career, Field worked at Ford.

In his new role, Field will report to Farley, leading software and connectivity strategy, and working in partnership with Hau Thai-Tang, Ford’s chief product platform and operations officer, Ford said. Thai-Tang oversees the development and design of cars and trucks, as well as supply chain and other operations, Ford said on Tuesday.

The hire of Field and the management structure created to accommodate him underscore the rising importance of software and digital connectivity in the auto industry.

“This is a watershed moment for our company,” Farley said on a call reporters.

Since taking over as Ford CEO last October, Farley has stressed the importance of developing stronger digital services and connections to generate continuing revenue from consumer and commercial customers.

“The entire customer experience of the future goes through the embedded system,” Farley said.

He compared the auto industry to the mobile phone industry when the first iPhone was introduced, and customers saw that a phone could do far more than make a voice call.

Field’s move to Ford was first reported by Bloomberg.

It was not clear what Field’s decision to leave Apple means for the iPhone maker’s efforts to develop a vehicle for its brand.

Industry sources told Reuters last year that Apple was aiming to launch an electric car with advanced battery technology by 2024.

Since then, however, Apple has not disclosed specific plans. Meanwhile, the field of start-ups and established automakers chasing Tesla Inc(TSLA.O) in China, the United States and Europe has only grown, with the investment of billions of dollars.