Tesla Motors Hires Doug Field, Apple's VP of Mac Hardware Engineering, to Lead New Vehicle Development - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Tesla Motors Hires Doug Field, Apple's VP of Mac Hardware Engineering, to Lead New Vehicle Development

by

NewImageUpstart automobile manufacturer Tesla Motors has announced the hiring of Doug Field, former vice president of Mac Hardware Engineering, to lead its development of new vehicles.

Field has been at Apple for more than 5 years and led the development of recent models of the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and iMac -- all of which have seen significant redesigns in past years.

"Doug has demonstrated the leadership and technical talent to develop and deliver outstanding products, including what are widely considered the best computers in the world," said Elon Musk, Tesla co-founder and CEO. "Tesla’s future depends on engineers who can create the most innovative, technologically advanced vehicles in the world. Doug’s experience in both consumer electronics and traditional automotive makes him an important addition to our leadership team."

"Until Tesla came along, I had never seriously considered leaving Apple," said Field. "I started my career with the goal of creating incredible cars, but ultimately left the auto industry in search of fast-paced, exciting engineering challenges elsewhere. As the first high tech auto company in modern history, Tesla is at last an opportunity for me and many others to pursue the dream of building the best cars in the world—while being part of one of the most innovative companies in Silicon Valley."

Field began his career at Ford as a development engineer after graduating MIT, before moving on to Segway and then to Apple.

Tag: Tesla

Top Rated Comments

169 months ago
I love Tesla cars and would like to own one, one day. However, in this case please don't make them any smaller. I do not love those little smart cars.

Lose some weight....:D

The current Tesla models are hardly small. Nor is the Prius.

Wish the US would tax large engines and gas a bit more, like the rest of the world.

Instead, we subsidize oversized yahoos buying oversized trucks.

Tesla is game-changer for the the auto industry and really the most exciting thing to happen to cars in at least a generation.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Drumjim85 Avatar
169 months ago
Complete with the Mac startup sound when you turn the key :D

Turn the key?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
autrefois Avatar
169 months ago
Looks like Tesla Gen3 is going to be smaller and lighter :p
I'm guessing that this move will mean not only that, but also it will now be put together with custom nuts and bolts that require a Pentalobe tire iron, the motor will be glued together, and it will be incredibly difficult to service anything except through Tesla itself. This will annoy iFixit to no end. :p
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DPazdanISU Avatar
169 months ago
Good for him to follow his dream, but with Musk & Tesla, I can't help but suspect that his talent will be wasted- maybe not, but probably. I think he'd be better utilized at Apple, where what he designs will actually be applied, put into production, and enjoyed by millions of people. Good luck.

He can have a much larger impact at Tesla. What do you want to do, make computers all day or transition human kind from oil to sustainable energy transport? :)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
169 months ago
Turn the key?

I think he unknowingly meant "press the button." :-D
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
erthquake Avatar
169 months ago
Want a MacTesla!

Complete with the Mac startup sound when you turn the key :D
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 18 Siri Personal Context

Siri AI Settlement Website Now Live: Apple to Pay Some iPhone Owners

Sunday September 20, 2026 7:24 pm PDT by
In May, Apple agreed to pay $250 million to settle a U.S. class action lawsuit over Siri AI's delayed launch, and the settlement website is now live. Apple will pay an estimated $25 per eligible iPhone to eligible customers, who can submit a claim via the settlement website between September 21 and December 21 of this year. The exact payment may be higher or lower than $25 depending on the...
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Will Soon Announce an All-New Operating System

Tuesday September 22, 2026 9:19 am PDT by
Apple is developing an all-new operating system that is essentially a mix of tvOS, watchOS, and iOS, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman reiterated that the operating system will feature a grid of app icons, widgets, and customizable clock faces. The new software platform is intended for Apple's long-rumored smart home hub. With built-in facial...
Mostly Screen iPhone Purple Feature 2027

iPhone 20 Pro Display Sizes Leak Ahead of 2027 Launch

Monday September 21, 2026 4:29 am PDT by
Apple's 20th-anniversary iPhone lineup could feature slightly larger displays than the iPhone 18 Pro models, if a new leak shared on Weibo is accurate. Prolific Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station claims that early iPhone 20 Pro display specifications include a 6.41-inch screen with a resolution of approximately 2,686 × 1,236 pixels, while the iPhone 20 Pro Max is said to have a 6.96-inch...
Latest Stories
New iPhone Setting Lets Users Shake Off Motion-Sensing Ads
New iPhone Setting Lets Users Shake Off Motion-Sensing Ads
2 hours ago
Apple Intelligence Taking Up 30GB+ on Some Macs Running macOS 27
Apple Intelligence Taking Up 30GB+ on Some Macs Running macOS 27
3 hours ago
New Mac Mini Has Two Storage Downsides, Including Unremovable SSD
New Mac Mini Has Two Storage Downsides, Including Unremovable SSD
11 hours ago
Apple Card Savings Account's Interest Rate Just Went Up
Apple Card Savings Account's Interest Rate Just Went Up
11 hours ago
Apple Releases First Public Betas of iOS 27.2 and macOS Golden Gate 27.2
Apple Releases First Public Betas of iOS 27.2 and macOS Golden Gate 27.2
15 hours ago
OpenAI's New GPT-6 Sol and Luna Models Bring Astra Improvements to Cheaper Tiers
OpenAI's New GPT-6 Sol and Luna Models Bring Astra Improvements to Cheaper Tiers
17 hours ago
Apple Park Visitor Center Just Lost an Attraction Offered Since 2017
Apple Park Visitor Center Just Lost an Attraction Offered Since 2017
18 hours ago
Shazam App for iPhone Updated With New Icon and iMessage Stickers
Shazam App for iPhone Updated With New Icon and iMessage Stickers
18 hours ago
Anthropic Launches Claude Opus 5.5 With Fable-Level Performance at a Lower Price
Anthropic Launches Claude Opus 5.5 With Fable-Level Performance at a Lower Price
19 hours ago
Apple Releases Firmware Update for Beats 360
Apple Releases Firmware Update for Beats 360
20 hours ago
Beats 360 Pre-Orders Open at Amazon With Cushion Kits on Sale, Plus More Beats Deals
Beats 360 Pre-Orders Open at Amazon With Cushion Kits on Sale, Plus More Beats Deals
20 hours ago
Apple Puts AirTag-Sized AI Pin on Hold
Apple Puts AirTag-Sized AI Pin on Hold
21 hours ago
Beats 360 Ear Cushion Kits Just $9.99 Each Until the End of October
Beats 360 Ear Cushion Kits Just $9.99 Each Until the End of October
21 hours ago
Apple Testing Prototypes of Whoop-Like Screenless Fitness Band
Apple Testing Prototypes of Whoop-Like Screenless Fitness Band
21 hours ago
Apple Will Soon Announce an All-New Operating System
Apple Will Soon Announce an All-New Operating System
22 hours ago
Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Series 12 Buyer's Guide: Should You Upgrade?
Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Series 12 Buyer's Guide: Should You Upgrade?
22 hours ago
Apple's Smart Glasses to Enter a Rapidly Growing Market
Apple's Smart Glasses to Enter a Rapidly Growing Market
22 hours ago
Apple Event This October? These 7 New Products Expected Next Month
Apple Event This October? These 7 New Products Expected Next Month
22 hours ago
Beats 360 Deliver Customizability and a Revamped Over-Ear Headphone Design
Beats 360 Deliver Customizability and a Revamped Over-Ear Headphone Design
1 day ago
Massive Discounts Hit 2026 MacBook Pro, Save Up to $600 on Amazon
Massive Discounts Hit 2026 MacBook Pro, Save Up to $600 on Amazon
1 day ago
Apple Planning to Bring iPhone Duo Display Tech to Pro in 2029
Apple Planning to Bring iPhone Duo Display Tech to Pro in 2029
1 day ago
Apple Announces 'Tap to Pay on iPhone' Availability in 8 More Countries
Apple Announces 'Tap to Pay on iPhone' Availability in 8 More Countries
1 day ago
New Mac Mini and Mac Studio Now Available for Same-Day Pickup at Apple Stores
New Mac Mini and Mac Studio Now Available for Same-Day Pickup at Apple Stores
1 day ago
Apple Still Working on Anti-Snatching Feature That Locks Stolen iPhones
Apple Still Working on Anti-Snatching Feature That Locks Stolen iPhones
1 day ago
Apple Quietly Excludes Older iPhones From New Camera Feature
Apple Quietly Excludes Older iPhones From New Camera Feature
1 day ago
App Switcher Returns in watchOS 27.2 Beta With New Launch Gesture
App Switcher Returns in watchOS 27.2 Beta With New Launch Gesture
1 day ago
Apple Music Hall Spatial Audio Venue Opens in Battersea Power Station
Apple Music Hall Spatial Audio Venue Opens in Battersea Power Station
1 day ago
Apple CEO John Ternus Talks iPhone Duo Design, Siri AI, and Becoming CEO
Apple CEO John Ternus Talks iPhone Duo Design, Siri AI, and Becoming CEO
2 days ago
You Can No Longer Downgrade From iOS 27 to iOS 26
You Can No Longer Downgrade From iOS 27 to iOS 26
2 days ago
macOS 27.2 Beta Brings New Volume and Brightness Sliders
macOS 27.2 Beta Brings New Volume and Brightness Sliders
2 days ago