Ford Plans 50,000-Square-Foot Design and Development Center in Irvine

Strategic Insights -

Ford Motor Co.'s top executives announced plans to build a 50,000-square-foot design and development center at Irvine Spectrum, adjacent to the new Lincoln-Mercury headquarters. The move is part of the company's efforts to regain the California car market, which has been unresponsive to Ford's products. The center will house 50 employees, including development engineers, and is expected to double in size over the next five years.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ford will close its Valencia studio and move 22 designers to the new Irvine shop, called the Lincoln-Mercury Concept Center.
  • The Irvine studio will serve as a "lookout post" for Ford's six international brands: Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Jaguar, Aston Martin, and Mazda.
  • The center will start with about 50 employees and is expected to double in size over five years.
  • The size of the studio is 50,000 square feet.
  • Ford's vice president of design, J. Mays, hopes the center will tap into California's "wealth of diversity and knowledge and people strength."
  • Ford hopes to complete the new design center and headquarters by June 1999.
  • The center is part of Ford's efforts to regain the California car market, which has been unresponsive to Ford's products.
  • Ford's best-selling car, the Taurus, was fifth in California sales.

Statistics:

  • Ford plans to build a 50,000-square-foot design and development center in Irvine.
  • The center will start with about 50 employees and is expected to double in size over five years.
  • Ford's vice president of design, J. Mays, has a 43-year-old age.
  • Ford's best-selling car, the Taurus, was fifth in California sales.
  • Ford plans to complete the new design center and headquarters by June 1999.

Sources:

  • "Ford reveals plans for Irvine design center", The Orange County Register, Chris Knap
  • "Ford aims to boost California sales with new design center", Los Angeles Times (no date or author specified)