A New Frontier: How Ford Is Engaging Silicon Valley Startups to Transform Transportation

Ford employees working at Greenfield Labs in Palo Alto, California.

Ford Motor Company was one of the first tech startups 118 years ago to put the world on wheels. Today, we are seeking out like-minded innovators as Ford once again looks to transform the way people move through electrified, connected and autonomous vehicles.

This means we have to again compete like a challenger, including collaborating with future-focused innovators that are disrupting many parts of how we live, work and play. That is why we helped lead a new way of connecting Detroit with Silicon Valley with the creation of Ford Greenfield Labs in Palo Alto, Calif.. Established in 2016, our Greenfield Labs team already has engaged with 2,000 startups to understand their ideas and visions – and already has collaborated with dozens to bring their ideas closer to production while helping us disrupt the transportation and tech industries.

It sounds like an oversimplification, but a huge part of what we do is really just a matter of getting to know people. We have become obsessed with fostering frank and open conversations to determine if a company’s ideas could be a fit for our vehicles or services, and what kind of support they might need to keep moving forward.

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About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services. The company does that through three customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough EVs along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs. Additionally, Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 176,000 people worldwide. More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com.

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