Tesla Motors has hired Apple's vice president Doug Field to head its car development.

Palo Alto-based Tesla made the announcement on Thursday, October 24, that the VP of Mac Hardware Engineering, who has served the technology giant for the last five years, will leave Apple to join the upcoming automotive company.

Field will join Tesla as the new VP of Vehicle Programs and will handle the development of new electric vehicles.

"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."

Field had joined Apple in 2008 to help the company in the development of the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and iMac. Prior to joining Apple, Field worked for nine years at Segway but began his engineering career at Ford.

"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 has a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering and Management from MIT and a a BS in Mechanical Engineering (with distinction) from Purdue.

In his role as VP of Vehicle Programs at Tesla, Field will be responsible for "driving development of new vehicles." Tesla has not revealed by when Field will be joining the California-based company.