DETROIT: Ford may be back in Motor City, but to commemorate its return, the the company with the blue oval for its logo has moved both its electric (Ford Team Edison) and autonomous vehicle business teams into a refurbished former factory located in the historic neighbourhood of Corktown.

As part of a US$11.1bil (RM44.4bil) investment in global electric vehicles announced earlier this year, the American carmaker says that the new location offers a new work environment and customisable work space that will help enable its push into electrification and strengthen its development in self-driving vehicles.

The location of the former factory's neighbourhood allows the electric and autonomous teams to be immersed in lifestyle and mobility challenges within an urban environment that will help them identify problems and generate solutions.

The 45,000 square foot building has been extensively renovated and possesses a layout that fosters collaboration and team building, with rolling desks and interactive screens that allow groups to customise their work space as needed with flexible options for meetings.

The Edison team is currently working to deliver the all-new Mustang-inspired battery-electric SUV that's slated for a reveal in 2020.

Also, in the next few years, the company plans to offer hybrid options on high-volume nameplates such as the Mustang, F-150, Explorer, Escape and Bronco, in addition to hybrid options for every new Ford SUV introduced.

The work done in Corktown will also help accelerate the development of Ford’s battery-electric vehicle program with the aim of providing a total of 40 electrified vehicles available globally by 2022, including 16 full battery-electric vehicles.

The company also said that its new electric vehicles will offer customers additional capabilities such as an onboard electric generator on its upcoming hybrid F-150 as well as better mileage.

Since owning a battery-electric vehicle represents a change in lifestyle, the company is rethinking how to ensure seamless and convenient charging, while also looking to offer full-vehicle over-the-air software updates to enhance capability and features.

Working alongside Ford Team Edison will be the company’s autonomous vehicle business team.

The company is already combining its self-driving vehicle expertise with the robotics and artificial intelligence experience of Argo AI and the work in Corktown will complement that effort.

With its autonomous and electric vehicle teams working side-by-side, the company will deliver on its plan to develop a purpose-built, custom-designed self-driving vehicle that runs on a hybrid-electric powertrain.

Planned to begin production in 2021, its first autonomous vehicles will be designed to move people or goods, making them excellent tools for businesses to enhance and grow their operations.

Other key factors in design and performance include commercial-grade quality for lower cost of ownership, improved durability to operate in tough urban environments, and dependable safety features integrated by the teams deeply involved in development.

“Moving our teams to Corktown will further enhance our electric and autonomous vehicle development. It gives our teams the work space they need to promote collaboration and big thinking, and an urban setting that delivers crucial insight for both programs," said Ford vice president (autonomous vehicles and electrification) Sherif Marakby.

In addition, the hybrid-electric powertrain will help reduce emissions and achieve maximum mileage to keep the self-driving vehicle on the road longer each day.

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