Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Ford Gives Autonomous Vehicle Update

Ford Motor Co. plans to sell a fully autonomous car to the public by the middle of the 2020 decade, after it plans to supply a fully autonomous vehicle to ride-hailing companies, the company told Automotive Fleet.

by Staff
September 12, 2016
Ford Gives Autonomous Vehicle Update

Photo by Mike Antich.

2 min to read


Photo by Mike Antich.

Ford Motor Co. plans to sell a fully autonomous car to the public by the middle of the 2020 decade, after it plans to supply a fully autonomous vehicle to ride-hailing companies, the company told Automotive Fleet.

Bloomberg, Road and Track and several other outlets initially reported that CEO Mark Fields said the company would offer driverless cars to the public by 2025, but sources told Automotive Fleet there is no precise timetable.

Ad Loading...

CEO Mark Fields provided an update about the company's autonomous vehicle initiative during a Sept. 12 speech at company headquarters. Fields told gathered reporters including Automotive Fleet that Ford sees the next decade being defined by "the automation of the automobile."

Ford will also begin shuttling its employees in fully autonomous cars at its Dearborn, Michigan headquarters in 2018, reports the Detroit News

Ford is setting itself up to become a broader mobility and automotive company. Earlier this month, Ford purchased Chariot, a San Francisco-based crowd-sourced shuttle service. Ford.

In August, Ford announced it would provide fully autonomous vehicles to ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft. The company announced it would invest in — or collaborating with — four startups including Velodyne, SAIPS, Nirenberg Neuroscience, and Civil Maps. Ford is doubling its Silicon Valley team and more than doubling its Palo Alto campus.

Ford is also partnering with start-ups Spatial, HAAS Alert, and Cargo to explore next-generation vehicle technologies such as interactive mapping, connectivity, and ride-hailing.

Ad Loading...

Autonomous vehicles are part of Ford's Smart Mobility plan to become a leader in autonomous vehicles, connectivity, mobility, the customer experience, and analytics.

More Safety

Chris Brown sits across from safety experft at Lifesaver mobile in an interview about distracted driving and phone use tech.
Safetyby Chris BrownMay 1, 2026

Reducing Risk by Eliminating Phone Use Behind the Wheel

Distracted driving remains one of the most persistent risks in fleet operations. New approaches focus on removing mobile device use entirely while adding real-time safety support.

Read More →
Safetyby Jeanny RoaApril 15, 2026

Distracted Driving in the Age of Smart Tech – Part 2

As distraction risks evolve, fleets are turning to smarter, more connected technologies to better understand what’s happening behind the wheel. Part 2 explores how these tools are helping identify risky behaviors and improve visibility across operations.

Read More →
Safetyby Jeanny RoaApril 11, 2026

 Data Rights, Risks, and Responsibilities After a Crash

What fleets capture to improve safety can also expose them in litigation, forcing leaders to rethink how data is managed, stored, and shared.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Driver holding a phone while steering, illustrating distracted driving and the importance of mental awareness and attention on the road for fleet safety.
Safetyby Judie NuskeyApril 10, 2026

From Distraction to Detection: Strengthening Awareness in Fleet Drivers

Distracted driving is often measured by what we can see—phones in hand, eyes off the road. But what about the distractions we can’t? A recent incident raises a bigger question about awareness, attention, and why subtle risks so often go unnoticed.

Read More →
Safetyby StaffApril 8, 2026

Lytx 2026 Road Safety Report

While serious crashes are declining, a rise in minor incidents and ongoing risk hotspots underscore the need for continued fleet safety investment.

Read More →
Driver’s hands on steering wheel in a sunlit vehicle, representing real-world driver behavior and the shift from data monitoring to hands-on training in fleet safety programs.
Safetyby Judie NuskeyApril 7, 2026

Behind-the-Wheel vs. Classroom Training: What Actually Changes Driver Behavior?

Fleets have more driver data than ever, so why isn't behavior changing? Training requires more than reports and coaching — it requires real-world practice.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A person in a car on their phone behind the steering wheel.
Safetyby Jeanny RoaApril 1, 2026

Distracted Driving in the Age of Smart Tech – Part 1

A two-part conversation with Stefan Heck on how AI is transforming the fight against distracted driving. As fleets adopt smarter tools, the focus shifts from reacting to preventing risk. In Part 1, we look at where AI is making an impact for fleets today.

Read More →
Pedestrians crossing a busy street, highlighting the importance of driver awareness and caution to prevent pedestrian accidents.
Safetyby StaffMarch 30, 2026

Pedestrian Safety Starts With the Driver

More people on foot means more risk for drivers. These pedestrian safety tips can help prevent serious injuries and keep everyone safer on the road.

Read More →
SponsoredMarch 30, 2026

Safety by Design: Power and Protection in the Freightliner 114SD Plus

Safer crews. Fewer incidents. Better uptime. Learn how driver-assist technology is changing the way vocational fleets operate.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Safetyby StaffMarch 26, 2026

Pedestrian Deaths Drop in First Half of 2025, Marking Largest Decline in Years

An 11% drop in pedestrian fatalities in early 2025 signals progress in U.S. road safety, but elevated death rates and ongoing risks underscore the need for continued action from fleets and policymakers.

Read More →