Solidarity from the dark side. First of all, I wish everyone the best here - this really s---s and we feel for you. I worked at Ford for several years and made the switch to GM, and have a lot of close friends there still.
I was part of GM's core controls and software group, a couple of pointers I wish I knew before everything went down:
-Don't assume because your youngish, in core PD, or even in a new s-xy tech group you're safe - prepare for the worse. A lot in my dpt. thought it could never be them....and ~25% were cut. If done similar to GM, this is a numbers game, salary and age were the main factors not performance.
-Pack all of your stuff up just in case. It's not uncommon to be walked out on the spot immediately.
-As emotional as it is, don't burn any bridges if let go. Detroit auto is a small town at the end of the day. As sketchy as it was, a lot of those that were younger that were cut were called back within a week for similar jobs....so know that that could happen.
-Have your resume and Linkedin good to go, and maybe start applying to a handful of jobs just in case (you can always say no later if things change). When GM went down, thousands of engineers flooded the job market, and positions became a little slim, and it wouldn't hurt to have several applications sent and already in the running before everyone does the same. Keep in mind the Tier I's already swooped up a lot of PD from the GM cuts, so it might be even harder for the Ford folks. Also know GM might still be in a hiring freeze, tbd on FCA.
-Research the severance package and know all of the details about cobra and when health insurance expires etc. Same for vesting.
-Plan for at least a few weeks of awkward downtime during the job search (it can take a lot longer than expected). Stay strong mentally, this stuff gets to people in different ways and can be a big switch to your lifestyle.
-The grass can be greener, I accepted another job and it's dramatically better than Ford or GM. So, heads up - there can be a silver lining!