Ford Invests $5M in American Center for Mobility for Autonomous Vehicle Development
Ford has announced a contribution to the American Center for Mobility in the amount of $5 million to support the development of connected and automated vehicle technology. The investment makes Ford a Founder-level sponsor of ACM and brings the total of funds with which ACM will develop a 500-acre testing site at Willow Run in Ypsilanti Township to $95 million.
“We couldn’t be more proud [sic] to have Ford Motor Company join the ranks as a Founder,” said John Maddox, president and CEO of ACM. “When we first announced our plan to develop the American Center for Mobility, it may have seemed a little ambitious to some. However, we’re well along in making this a reality as national and global partners continue to support the facility.”
“We are proud to partner with ACM to help ensure Michigan continues as a hub for automotive innovation. The work done at Willow Run will help drive mobility solutions across the globe,” said Ken Washington, Vice President, Research and Advanced Engineering and Chief Technology Officer, Ford Motor Company. “This is an investment in the safe, rapid testing and deployment of transformative technology that will help improve peoples’ lives.”
The American Center for Mobility is one of 10 Automated Vehicle Proving Grounds designated by the United States Department of Transportation and is part of the PlanetM collaborative. The first phase of construction for the Willow Run testing site it set to begin in December of this year.
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