The Electric

Exclusive From The Electric: How Ford's EV Guru Plans to Beat Tesla and the Chinese

Alan Clarke, right, head of Ford's secret skunkworks, with Doug Field, Ford's chief EV officer, middle, and Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson. Photo: Courtesy Long Beach Mayor's Office.
By
Steve LeVine

For years, it’s been clear that Detroit is behind China and Tesla in the global race to build electric and autonomous vehicles. So, in what it viewed as a mission to save itself, Ford poached Tesla veteran Alan Clarke, who had helped create most of the EV maker’s vehicles. Clarke’s marching orders: Create a line of EVs that could beat those of the Chinese and Tesla.