Ford uses the Lowe’s executive to lead the transformation of data and software

DETROIT: Ford Motor has hired a veteran of online retail sales as its new digital information and digital director, marking the second prominent appointment for CEO Jim Farley’s executive team last week.

The automaker said Monday that Mike Amend, who recently served as Lowe’s line president, will oversee Ford’s data, software and technology immediately. These are key areas of Farley’s Ford + investment plan designed to reposition the automaker to generate more recurring revenue through software services.

“Mike adds dimension to our team as we use technology and software to transform our business and transportation from the inside out,” Farley said in a statement. “Ford has always been an innovator in vehicles; we are now taking our digital capabilities to new levels to differentiate ourselves even more from customers and competitors.”

At Lowe’s, Amend helped change the retailer’s online strategy. The company’s online sales doubled in 2020 compared to the previous year. The overhaul made it better positioned to raise dollars during the home improvement boom and added many new options, such as sidewalk pickup and in-store lockers where customers could pick up online purchases.

Prior to Lowe’s, Amend, 43, held similar positions with JCPenney and The Home Depot, according to his LinkedIn profile. Previously, he also worked at Dell Technologies and Sprint.

Ford said the Amend team will work closely with those led by Hau Thai-Tang, head of product platforms and a company official, and Doug Field, who joined Ford last week at Apple as head of advanced technology and embedded systems officer.

Amend and Field are important contracts for Ford, which many investors consider to be behind General Motors, the city’s rival, when it comes to emerging technologies such as electric and automotive vehicles. Both focus on Ford’s investment plan.

– CNBC Melissa Repko has contributed to this report.