Ford Moves Electric & Autonomous Teams to Detroit
Blue Oval move aims to accelerate development across vehicle portfolio.
Marking its return to the Motor City, Ford has announced that it is moving its electric vehicle and autonomous vehicle business teams into a refurbished former factory located in Detroit’s historic Corktown neighborhood. Much more than just a relocation, the move is a purpose-driven strategic decision, offering a new work environment and customizable workspace that will enable the acceleration of Ford’s push into electrification and strengthen its development of self-driving vehicles.
“Moving our teams to Corktown will further enhance our electric and autonomous vehicle development,” says Sherif Marakby, Ford vice president, autonomous vehicles and electrification. “It gives our teams the workspace they need to promote collaboration and big thinking, and an urban setting that delivers crucial insight for both programs.”
Serving as home to a number of companies over its 110-year history, the former factory is located in a thriving neighborhood that gives Ford teams the opportunity to immerse themselves in the lifestyle and mobility challenges of an urban environment. This daily immersion allows them to identify problems and generate solutions that will inform the development of the company’s self-driving and electric vehicles.
The historic 45,000-square-foot building has undergone extensive renovation to bring about optimal working conditions for employees dedicated to autonomy and electrification. The newly designed layout fosters collaboration and team building, with rolling desks that allow groups to customize their workspace as needed, flexible options for meetings, and interactive screens that make working together easier.
Corktown employees are part of cross-functional global teams working with product development, purchasing, and marketing, sales and service groups around the world to deliver the right vehicles for customers in each region.
