Ford has become over-reliant on profits from its F 150 truck line and fell behind in two important segments under Fields: compact SUVs and new-era mid-sized pickup trucks, where Ford finally will have a presence beginning in 2018. He added that Ford subsidiary Argo AI is working on production ready autonomous platform, and that Ford won't release a beta version before development is complete.

Ford CEO Jim Hackett will have the chance to prove that he's the change agent Bill Ford wants him to be.

While Ford has been investing in future mobility systems and new technologies, Hackett realizes his company must move even faster.

Ford shares were little changed after hours as Hackett and other executives presented their outlook.

Ford shares rose 0.5 percent to $12.40 as of 4:22 p.m.in NY, after the close of regular trading. "We try to manage everything, all aspects of the business under "One Ford"," and that hobbled the company's ability to move quickly, costing market share. Earlier this year, Ford chose to move production of its next-generation Focus sedan from North America to China, saving money.

Built-in modems and mobile internet connections are one of the areas Ford is trying to catch up on.

Ford vowed to build 100% of its new USA vehicles with connectivity by 2019 and pledged a goal of having connectivity in 90% of its new vehicles globally by 2020.

"General Motors believes in an all-electric future", Mark L. Reuss, G.M.'s global product chief, told the New York Times.

"Over the past seven years, we've averaged a 6.1% margin and that's simply not good enough", Hackett said. This investment is expected to generate 13 new electrified Ford products, though not all of those 13 will be pure electric models.

Hackett, who joined Ford a year ago to lead its autonomous auto division before replacing Fields at the helm of the company, added Ford will automate its manufacturing process, a move that will result in cost savings of approximately $14bn.

Jim Farley (Head of Global Markets), while conversing with investors said that Ford is carefully weighing the gainful and nonpaying businesses in Latin America and Europe and is looking for alliances there.

That notion was reinforced Monday when Ford's crosstown rival GM - which already sells the long-range electric Chevy Bolt - announced plans to have 20 battery-powered cars on the road by 2023.

But addressing revenue and costs will be the first priorities, he said.

There's echoes of Ford from a decade ago, when Alan Mulally was in charge-namely a plan to reduce the number of combinations customers can have for a vehicle. The future model will come in just 96 combinations, meaning fewer parts to design, produce and store in inventory, Ford showed in a presentation.