Ford relocating autonomous, EV teams closer to Detroit

The company wants its teams to be directly exposed to \"urban mobility challenges\" that apparently don\'t exist in Dearborn.

Ford has announced plans to relocate its autonomous vehicle, EV and strategy teams to a 45,000-square-foot historic factory in Detroit's Corktown neighborhood.

The company suggests the move will help more than 200 people "immerse themselves in the mobility challenges and solutions in an urban setting," compared to the current headquarters just a few miles away in Dearborn.

"We are planting a special piece of our company's future in one of the city's great neighborhoods, because we believe in Detroit, its people and what we can build together," says executive chairman Bill Ford.

The teams in Corktown will be led by Sherif Marakby, Ford's VP of autonomous vehicles and electrification. Marakby will also be in charge of Team Edison, the group tasked with accelerating development and adoption of electric vehicles.

The news comes on the heels of several reports detailing Ford's commitment to China as the "clear leader" in EV development. The Blue Oval now has two 50:50 joint ventures in China, aiming to secure a strong position in the world's largest automotive market.