Ford’s EV Design Center in Long Beach, California has been making waves in the industry. The once-secret “skunkworks” team has now been unveiled and is thriving with former Tesla, Rivian, and Apple engineers. Ford has given the team a new two-building campus to develop its upcoming lower-cost, midsize electric vehicle models.
The new 250,000-square-foot facility officially opened its doors on Tuesday, marking it as Ford’s main design and innovation hub in Southern California. Originally built 95 years ago for Ford’s Model A production expansion, the site was later repurposed for military use during World War II. Now, it is set to shape the future of Ford, with senior technical program manager Ann Diep leading the charge in developing a new generation of electric vehicles that customers will love.
The team, led by Alan Clarke, a former Tesla employee, is a powerhouse of talent from top companies in the EV industry. With expertise from Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, and Apple, the team is focused on creating an EV platform that will drive Ford’s upcoming lineup of smaller, more affordable models.
Last year, Ford’s CEO, Jim Farley, mentioned that the team was benchmarking costs against the best global competitors, with a keen eye on Chinese brands. The first electric vehicle based on the platform will be a midsize electric pickup, set to launch in 2027. Ford plans to utilize LFP batteries to reduce costs, which will be manufactured at its new battery plant in Michigan, licensed from China’s CATL.
The platform is designed to support eight different body styles, including trucks, crossovers, SUVs, and potentially sedans. Lisa Drake, Ford’s vice president of tech platform programs and EV systems, shared insights during a candid dinner discussion with lead Bernstein analyst Daniel Roeska. Ford aims to match the cost structure of leading Chinese players, not just in battery pricing but in full system costs from chassis to electronics.
Ford is gearing up to reveal more about its plans to design and build a breakthrough electric vehicle and platform in the US on August 11. Farley is building anticipation, calling it the company’s next “Model T moment” and a chance to introduce a new family of vehicles that will shape the future of Ford. With a powerhouse team and cutting-edge technology, Ford’s EV Design Center is set to revolutionize the electric vehicle market.
