Ford president and CEO Jim Hackett has opened the company’s Smart Mobility Innovation Office in London which will target the near term development of smart mobility technologies while focusing on the specific requirements of European cities.
The new office gives a dedicated team of specialists, headed by smart mobility director Sarah-Jayne Williams, easy access to world class digital companies, leading academic institutions, start ups and existing partners. The automaker continues to work on projects with the city to help improve air quality, ease congestion and broaden mobility for Londoners. Having an office in London offers thr automaker close proximity to its projects and partners including the plug in hybrid Transit trial due to launch later this year.
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“London is not only one of Europe’s biggest mega cities, it is also one of the most progressive in its openness to new ideas and new partners, as we work together to create smart vehicles for a smart world,” said Hackett. “Here East is the perfect location for our European smart mobility hub with Plexal’s incredible talent pool and start up diversity right on the doorstep.”
The Here East campus is already home to Loughborough University, one of the automaker’s longest standing and most significant UK university research partners, as well as the Advanced Propulsion Centre, which has supported powertrain research, including the PHEV Transit.
The new London office joins existing smart mobility offices in Dearborn and Palo Alto and also complements a global network of research and innovation centres, including RIC Aachen, in Germany.
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