Commenting on the appointment of Mr Casesa as group vice president, global strategy, effective 1 March 2015, Stephanie Brinley, senior analyst at IHS Automotive, said that: ‘The new hire underscores Mark Fields repeated assertion that is target is accelerating the One Ford plan, of which he was an integral architect during Alan Mulally’s tenure as CEO—specifically the go-forward element to “accelerate development of new products our customers want and value.”’

Brinley added: ‘He also is signalling that Ford will continue to be aggressive in investing in new areas, consistent with corporate values on a high level. In creating the new global strategy team, Fields is institutionalising the process. If Ford (and other OEMs) do not drive innovation in the industry, it will come from outside the industry, and entities from outside the traditional industry seem hungry to get in. Ford is building its own bridge into the tomorrow of the auto industry, which may include potential shifts in ownership models and purchase habits of consumers as well as increasing technology and, some say, the eventuality of autonomous vehicles.

‘With the new hire, the company gains a well-respected analyst with a breadth of experience and knowledge across the industry. Fields has selected someone from the outside who will bring a fresh view to the plans and opportunities, and likely able to spot strengths and weaknesses in existing plans more dispassionately than the executives who created them. Casesa should be coming in with a realistic view of the company’s organizational and cultural challenges and opportunities.’

‘Ford has developed clear priorities and values that drive decisions on where to invest and why; appointing someone to develop the specific strategy is a logical next step. Fields and Bill Ford will continue to guide and shape the company’s direction; Casesa and his team will work on the most effective path to take. With industry respect and the support of Fields, Casesa has opportunity to build bridges between what might have been done in the past and what needs to be done in the future.

‘Mark Fields seems to be creating a strong mix of internal and external voices, building a team that can help him lead the company. Most CEOs will see their strongest successes only with the right team behind them. The makeup of that team depends on the CEO, company and industry. Fields is well on his way to having built the team he needs for his (and Ford’s) success.’