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Ford’s new Electric Vehicle Development Center (EVDC) in Long Beach, California, transforms a historic site into a hub for designing advanced electric vehicles (EVs). Originally built 95 years ago for Model A production and later used as an Army depot during World War II, the 250,000 square-foot campus now serves as Ford’s primary design and innovation center in Southern California. Ann Diep, a senior technical program manager, shares insights into the collaborative space and its mission to create user-friendly, innovative EVs.
Key Highlights
- Historic Transformation: The campus, once a Model A factory, now drives EV innovation.
- Collaborative Design: Open spaces foster spontaneous idea-sharing among diverse teams.
- Advanced Facilities: Features a digital visualization room, milling shop, and EV testing labs.
- Diverse Expertise: Combines automotive knowledge with tech, electronics, and drone perspectives.
- Long Beach Appeal: Offers a vibrant, walkable community with local amenities.
The EVDC’s design emphasizes simplicity and collaboration, mirroring the ethos of the iconic Model T, which balanced innovation with affordability. The campus includes a digital visualization room, a milling and fabrication shop, and state-of-the-art labs for battery, software, and thermal system development. An outdoor design review courtyard encourages cross-disciplinary discussions, blending expertise from design, product concepting, and engineering. This setup promotes spontaneous interactions, sparking ideas that remote work might miss.
Ford’s team draws inspiration from the Model T’s user-focused legacy, aiming to create EVs that are intuitive and exciting, much like unboxing a new gadget. Ann Diep, with her background in bioengineering and consumer electronics at Apple, brings a unique perspective to this mission. The team integrates diverse backgrounds, including electronics, semiconductors, and drone technology, while collaborating with Ford’s Dearborn, Michigan, and Palo Alto, California, teams to merge automotive expertise with startup agility.
A Vibrant Location for Innovation
The Long Beach location enhances the campus’s appeal. Known for its diverse micro-communities, the city offers a welcoming atmosphere, vibrant restaurant scene, and unique attractions like Rosie’s Dog Beach and vintage thrifting. The EVDC’s walkable neighborhood provides easy access to local amenities, fostering a tight-knit team culture. Diep notes that in-person interactions at the campus allow for deeper connections, creating a family-like environment where ideas flourish.
Driving the Future of EVs
Guided by principles of simplicity, efficiency, and excitement, the EVDC team is poised to make significant strides in EV development. While specific plans remain under wraps until an upcoming announcement on August 11, the focus is clear: crafting vehicles that resonate with users and push technological boundaries. The EVDC represents a bold step for Ford, blending its automotive heritage with cutting-edge innovation to shape the future of electric mobility.
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