FI showroom red and grey logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Ford Forms Mobile Tech-Focused Subsidiary

With the formation of Ford Smart Mobility, the automaker has its sights on becoming one of the leaders in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data analytics.

by Staff
March 15, 2016
1 min to read


DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Motor Co. has formed a new subsidiary, Ford Smart Mobility LLC, to design, build, grow and invest in emerging mobility services, as the automaker has its sights on becoming a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, data, and analytics.

Ford Smart Mobility is part of the brand’s expanded business model to become both an auto and mobility company. The subsidiary has been designed to compete like a startup that will build mobility services on its own and collaborate with other startups and tech companies.

Ad Loading...

“Ford Smart Mobility and expanding into mobility services are significant growth opportunities,” said Mark Fields, Ford president and CEO. “Our plan is to quickly become part of the growing transportation services market, which already accounts for $5.4 trillion in annual revenue.”

The subsidiary will be based out of both Dearborn, Mich., and Palo Alto, Calif. Jim Hackett, former Steelcase vice chairman and CEO, has left his position on the Ford board of directors to serve as Ford Smart Mobility’s chairman.  

More Showroom

Photo of Chevrolet Bolt on a beach
Showroomby Hannah MitchellMarch 9, 2026

Economical Electric

GM says it sells the cheapest electric vehicle in the U.S. market. It explains how it made improvements to the entry-level EV while keeping its price down.

Read More →
Showroomby Hannah MitchellMarch 4, 2026

Georgia Dealership Sold

A Tennessee-based automotive group with deep industry history picked up the well-established Honda store, rebranding it.

Read More →
Showroomby Lauren LawrenceMarch 4, 2026

Used-Vehicle Program Aims to Draw More Buyers

GM says more than 750 dealers across the U.S. are enrolled in CarBravo and that in January CarBravo dealers sold over two times the certified volume of Chevrolet, Buick and GMC dealers using traditional CPO.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Industryby Hannah MitchellMarch 2, 2026

Auto Brands Hold the Line on Retention

A flat national rate despite inflation and other financial challenges shows industry loyalty stability, annual Reynolds and Reynolds research finds.

Read More →
Showroomby Hannah MitchellFebruary 25, 2026

Chinese Cars Anyone?

More Americans are open to made-in-China than one might think, especially the youngest, though general awareness here of its growing brands is limited.

Read More →
Showroomby StaffFebruary 25, 2026

Black Book: Weekly Market Update

The overall cars segment was about flat last week, similar to the rest of the wholesale market.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Industryby Hannah MitchellFebruary 18, 2026

EVs Bring Most Satisfaction to Date

Study finds that adopters are true believers and that their satisfaction with the vehicles is growing, including for public charger experience, despite pullback of federal incentives.

Read More →
gray electric vehicle charging
Industryby Lauren LawrenceFebruary 9, 2026

Year-End Inventory Hints at Stability

Electric-vehicle inventory dropped in December, according to S&P Global, but the hybrid market saw about a 19% year-over-year increase in supply despite being down from November.

Read More →
Showroomby Hannah MitchellFebruary 9, 2026

New Hybrid Production Follows Trend

Subaru addition to its sole U.S. plant mirrors the automotive industry’s emphasis on the gas-alternative powertrain after recent setbacks for pure EVs.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Salesby Hannah MitchellFebruary 2, 2026

Consumer Outlook Dims

The year starts with declined expectations for economic conditions and plans to make big purchases. Used cars, though, are among the top big-ticket categories under consideration.

Read More →