In a special episode of Indium Corporation’s popular webcast series, “EV InSIDER Live,” co-hosts Brian O’Leary and Loren McDonald will sit down with Darren Palmer, Vice President of Electric Vehicle Programs for Ford Model e, for an exclusive interview on the floor of The Detroit Auto Show. This live session, titled “How Ford is Driving the EV Revolution: An Exclusive Interview,” is set to be broadcast via LinkedIn on September 14 at 11:30 a.m. EDT.
As the automotive industry undergoes a profound shift toward electric vehicles (EVs), Ford has asserted its commitment to becoming a leader in this transformative era. The company has set an ambitious target of reaching an annual production volume of 600,000 EVs by next year. With acclaimed EV models such as the F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E, along with a reorganization into two distinct divisions – “Blue™” for internal combustion engine vehicles and “Model e™” for EVs – Ford has strategically positioned itself for a future driven by batteries rather than traditional engines.
Brian O’Leary, Global Head of e-Mobility and Infrastructure at Indium Corporation and Chair of IPC’s e-Mobility and Quality & Reliability Advisory Council, expressed his excitement about the interview, saying, “It is a tremendous privilege to sit down with Darren, as Loren and I look forward to covering a wide range of topics with him.” O’Leary and McDonald plan to delve into crucial areas such as Ford’s recent announcements, the forthcoming next-generation platform slated for 2025, battery development, scaling production, bi-directional charging, software and over-the-air updates (OTAs), autonomy, the EV model pipeline, and the distinctions between the North American and European markets.
Darren Palmer, Vice President of Electric Vehicle Programs at Ford Model e, brings a wealth of experience to the discussion. Prior to his current role, Palmer served as the General Manager of Ford Electric Vehicles, overseeing the EV business in North America and spearheading a $50 billion transformation of Ford’s EV portfolio. He was also a founding member of Team Edison, an internal startup aimed at defining Ford’s strategic direction in the electric vehicle space. Palmer’s extensive career at Ford encompasses various positions in Product Development, Product Planning, Manufacturing, and Quality, across different regions, including the U.K., Germany, United States, and global travel to South America, China, India, and Australia. He holds an MBA from Henley Management College, an Electrical, Electronics, and Technology Degree from Birmingham University in England, and is a Member of the Institute of Engineering Technology (IET).
Now in its second season, “EV InSIDER Live” serves as a platform to explore pressing issues within the dynamic and rapidly evolving electric vehicle landscape. Each episode features a prominent industry guest and adopts a candid and conversational format accessible to business executives, casual observers, and seasoned engineers alike. This exclusive interview promises to provide invaluable insights into Ford’s vision and strategy in the EV revolution.