Ford Offers Glimpse of Future of Mobility
During Ford’s Spring 2016 Fleet Advisory Board meeting, fleet managers received an overview of the automaker’s near-term and long-term direction.
Dean Cerimeli (left) and Dean Dunton lead a private session of the advisory board. Photos courtesy of Ford.
Dean Cerimeli (left) and Dean Dunton lead a private session of the advisory board. Photos courtesy of Ford.
Ford Motor Company held its Spring 2016 Fleet Advisory Board (FAB) meeting at the Henry Hotel in Dearborn, Mich., May 2-4, 2016. The board received an overview of the company’s products and fleet services, and a glimpse of the future of mobility. Presentations included the automaker’s upcoming advanced technology, including electrification, telematics, and a demonstration of Ford’s autonomous vehicle.
The FAB was welcomed by Fritz Ahadi, general manager Commercial and Government Sales Operations for Ford, before receiving a product overview by Raj Sarkar, general marketing manager North American Fleet, Lease, and Remarketing Operations (NAFLRO) for Ford.
After the general product overview, the FAB received a briefing about the automaker’s electrification strategy from Ben Williams, director of corporate strategy for Ford. The board ended its first day of business receiving an overview of Ford Fleet Services Operations by Mike DeYoung, fleet services operations manager for Ford.
The second day of the FAB saw the board breaking into subcommittees. The Car and Utility Subcommittee saw a demo of the new SYNC3, received overviews of FordPass/Ford Mobility, the Fusion HEV, and Lincoln’s product lineup.
When the FAB reconvened as a group, it received presentations on Ford’s connected car strategy and telematics and driver assist technology.
The final day was spent at Ford’s Research Innovation Center, which included an overview of the automaker’s advanced engineering and smart mobility programs.
Then it was on to the labs where the FAB learned about Ford’s research in perception and wearable technology first hand.
The meeting ended with Ford giving the FAB a demonstration of its autonomous vehicle.
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