Ford Motor inaugurated a new vehicle design centre in Shanghai as part of its efforts to strengthen its position in China with more local design input.

The US automaker followed a number of foreign brands, including General Motors, Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, in establishing full-fledged design capability as it looked to respond more closely to local requirements within the world’s largest new vehicle market.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

Ford said the new design centre, located in central Shanghai, has a complete range of automotive design capability and facilities deploying “industry-leading design technologies”. These include a clay model workshop; exterior, interior colour and materials design; digital experience design; design strategy; digital modelling; design engineering; milling and fabrication.

The company confirmed the centre was capable of operating independently and would focus on developing vehicles for China.

Located in the same site are cross-discipline teams such as Advanced Product Marketing, Enterprise Connectivity and the D-Ford Human-Centered Design Studio. All have access to teams at Ford’s Engineering R&D Center in Nanjing.

Ford’s strengthened capability and increased integration enables it to design vehicles in China from a blank page to full-sized clay model under one roof. Using augmented reality and virtual reality (VR), designers can test and refine digital concepts before having clay models developed. After milling and fabrication, the models move to a specialist area for review in 3D form, followed by an immersive digital review through VR and 8K LED Powerwalls.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The company said this combination of high-end technology and hands-on craftsmanship was central its vision to develop vehicles in China that accentuate the nuances of the local design language and elevate local aesthetics to a higher level than previously possible.

Anning Chen, president and CEO of Ford China, said in a statement: “Under our ‘Best of Ford, Best of China’ commitment, we are accelerating the delivery of the Ford+ plan. The launch of this world-class design centre is our latest step to modernise. The industry is rapidly pivoting to electrification, connectivity and intelligent technologies.

“Ford’s China Design Center will help us deliver best-in-class products with Ford’s distinctive design DNA and pioneering innovation spirit that will define our offerings to customers in China. We are excited to see Ford’s iconic heritage shine through designs that reflect Chinese innovation and craftsmanship.”