Ford to replace aging research, engineering campus in Mich. with high-tech product complex

DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. plans to begin a sweeping overhaul of its 63-year-old research and engineering campus near Detroit this month, transforming an inefficient hodgepodge of buildings into a “modern, green and high-tech” environment that centralizes more employees to encourage collaboration and innovation.Changes detailed by the automaker today include a new design center to replace the sprawling product development center and historic design dome, a more walkable layout and a building that showcases Ford’s commitment to sustainability by creating zero waste and generating its own energy. The new product campus, expected to be mostly complete within seven years, will be served by a network of autonomous vehicles, on-demand shuttles and electric bikes, Ford said.Ford also said it would renovate its nearby world headquarters building, known as the Glass House, starting in 2021. It’s planning a new home for Ford Motor Credit Co. connected to the Glass House and other changes to its immediate surroundings to be finished by 2026.“As we transition to an auto and a mobility company, we’re investing in our people and the tools they use to deliver our vision,” Ford CEO Mark Fields said in a statement. “Bringing our teams together in an open, collaborative environment will make our employees’ lives better, speed decision-making and deliver results for both our core and emerging businesses.”The project, which involves rebuilding more than 7.5 million square feet of workspace in Dearborn, Mich., first was reported in June 2015 by Crain’s Detroit Business, an affiliate of Automotive News, which cited real-estate sources who estimated the cost at $1 billion.Ford, which announced the plan to its employees in a webcast this morning, didn’t say how much the work would cost. It’s aimed at helping the company attract and retain top talent, particularly as cutting-edge technology companies in Silicon Valley increasingly compete with automakers for engineers and other highly skilled employees. It also will significantly reduce energy use and the amount of time employees spend traveling to and from meetings.

Ford to replace aging research, engineering campus in Mich. with high-tech product complex

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