Ford has officially launched its new Electric Vehicle Development Center in Long Beach, California, transforming a historic facility into a cutting-edge campus dedicated to designing and engineering the automaker’s next generation of EVs. The two-building, 250,000-square-foot site houses collaborative workspaces, labs, and design studios, enabling tighter integration between Ford’s teams in Long Beach, Dearborn, and Palo Alto. This development is part of Ford’s broader push to simplify and accelerate EV innovation while drawing on a mix of automotive and tech industry talent.
Here’s why it matters:
The Long Beach EV campus is a strategic move by Ford to consolidate and accelerate its electric vehicle development efforts on the West Coast. As competition in the EV market intensifies, automakers are investing heavily in innovation hubs that foster faster product development, cross-functional collaboration, and talent acquisition from the technology sector. Ford is continuing to evolve its EV strategy with an emphasis on user-friendly design and streamlined vehicle systems. The facility is expected to play a key role in shaping future EV offerings that may be more accessible, easier to sell, and better aligned with customer expectations.
Key takeaways:
- Ford’s EV footprint expands with new Long Beach campus
The new two-building, 250,000-square-foot Electric Vehicle Development Center is now Ford’s primary West Coast hub for advanced EV design and engineering. - Historic building repurposed for future mobility
Originally built 95 years ago for Model A production and later used as a WWII Army depot, the site has been transformed into a modern innovation facility. - Facility designed to encourage collaboration and speed
The campus includes a digital visualization room, milling and fabrication shop, and outdoor design courtyard to promote spontaneous collaboration and iterative testing. - Tech and auto expertise converge in Ford’s EV teams
Ford is integrating talent from both automotive and tech backgrounds, including experts in semiconductors, consumer electronics, and drone systems, to innovate more quickly. - More strategy updates expected on Aug. 11
Ford is expected to announce new details about its EV manufacturing plans and product strategy during an upcoming reveal.
