DETROIT — Hau Thai-Tang spent the ultimate days of his almost 35-year profession at Ford Motor Co. in the identical place the place he bought his first large break: Flat Rock Meeting Plant.
The automaker organized a sendoff for its chief industrial platforms officer, who introduced his retirement in July, with staff constructing the Mustang sports activities automotive. Thai-Tang, 57, rose to prominence inside Ford after turning into chief engineer of the fifth-generation Mustang that went into manufacturing in late 2004.
“It was a pleasant close-the-circle second for me,” Thai-Tang instructed Automotive Information in his final interview earlier than retirement. “I am happy with the 2005 Mustang, however the present one is healthier, and the one we will launch is even higher. It was an excellent reminder: The contributions you may have on merchandise, to the enterprise outcomes, the enter you may have on our work processes, all of these issues are point-in-time; they’ll change. The one true sustainable legacy you will have as a frontrunner is your influence on individuals. That is been the nicest factor for me is to listen to from all the workers I’ve had an opportunity to work with.”
Thai-Tang, a Vietnamese immigrant raised in New York, joined Ford in 1988 out of faculty. He had various high-profile product growth and buying roles that included stints in Germany and South America. Most not too long ago, he helped spearhead growth of the Bronco, Maverick and Mustang Mach-E whereas additionally working as Ford’s prime provider liaison.
He mentioned the choice to retire was his personal.
“Serving an organization the dimensions of Ford on the officer degree is demanding; it is an all-consuming job,” he mentioned.
“It is by no means straightforward in our enterprise to determine when is an effective time to go due to the character of every product. [CEO Jim Farley] and I talked about what’s the proper timing given the transition that is taking place and for me, coming off the heels of all of the product launches we have rolled out over the past 18, 24 months beginning with F-150, it simply felt like the proper time.”
Thai-Tang mentioned he has full confidence in Farley and his Ford+ technique to separate the enterprise into separate items targeted on electrical and inner combustion autos, in addition to on business merchandise and software program providers.
“It is completely the proper plan,” he mentioned. “He is relentless when it comes to his sense of urgency and his expectations for all the groups. I am excited concerning the future and the place we’re headed.”
Thai-Tang, who was chosen as a 2018 Automotive Information All-Star for his work to maintain F-Collection manufacturing going after a hearth at a key provider, has confronted a bumpy highway the previous few years by way of the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent microchip scarcity.
“The final 24 months have been type of one disaster after one other,” he mentioned. “It is not simply Ford or automotive, it is throughout industries.”
Ford was significantly hard-hit, and Farley admitted the corporate ordered too few chips after anticipating demand to get well extra slowly after the pandemic than it did.
The extremely anticipated launch of the Bronco SUV in 2021 was marred by high quality points with roof provider Webasto. And final month, Ford warned that inflation-related provider prices in the course of the third quarter would run about $1 billion larger than it had anticipated as unfinished autos piled up on holding tons awaiting elements.
Thai-Tang mentioned Ford continues to tweak its processes to make sure shortages of chips and different vital elements do not occur once more.
“It is a very advanced, multifaceted drawback,” he mentioned. “One of many issues we’re doing goes by way of and saying, what different commodities have the identical threat profile [as chips] — excessive capital depth, world, cross-industry demand and lengthy lead occasions — and what have we discovered from the chip disaster to study to handle these commodities?” he mentioned. “All that work is underway.”
Ford is within the midst of revamping its provide chain administration system following Thai-Tang’s departure.
The automaker final month mentioned CFO John Lawler quickly will oversee a makeover of Ford’s world provide chain operations in the course of the seek for a everlasting chief.
Thai-Tang mentioned to achieve success, the following govt ought to concentrate on cultivating sturdy relationships and spend extra time assessing what it might and may’t do in-house.
“Actually have a look at our sourcing strategy, what number of suppliers we work with and who’re these long-term strategic companions,” he mentioned. “For the lengthy tail of the suppliers we do enterprise with that aren’t as strategic, how can we begin to rationalize and restructure a few of that in order that we cut back the work depth, enable all our companions to have actually good scale and get rid of a few of the high quality and execution threat.”
Thai-Tang’s household was among the many final to flee Vietnam two days earlier than the autumn of Saigon in 1975.
His mom labored for Chase Manhattan Financial institution, which made preparations to evacuate the households of a few of its staff. He has mentioned in interviews that he nonetheless remembers his household’s suitcases sitting by the door of their dwelling as they waited for his or her secret cue to go to the airport: the tune “White Christmas” performed on a specific radio station.
Engaged on the 2005 Mustang was a “dream come true,” he instructed discuss present host Charlie Rose in a 2005 interview, as a result of rising up, his aspirations had been merely to personal a automotive.
“I really feel so lucky,” Thai-Tang instructed Automotive Information final week.
“I’ve nothing however gratitude to Ford, Invoice Ford, Jim and all the opposite great leaders I’ve labored with when it comes to with the ability to study, develop, develop, contribute and have an effect on merchandise prospects love. It has been a beautiful, great journey.”