The Dallas area could be getting a new autonomous vehicle facility.
Ford Motor Co., or its affiliates — planning to partner with Pittsburgh-based Argo Al, a self-driving technology company — has narrowed its final site locations to one in Dallas and two in California, according to information provided in a Dallas City Council agenda for a Wednesday meeting. The city is considering incentives that would be more than $3 million.
With the deal, Ford would invest at least $160 million in capital expenditures and create 250 new jobs or more, according to the information provided in the agenda. The site would be at 2335 Burbank St. in Dallas near Love Field.
Ford has invested in Argo AI – and the large automaker also in 2018 announced “Ford Autonomous Vehicles LLC,” a new organization charged with accelerating its AV business to capitalize on market opportunities.
"Ford is building its self-driving business for ride-hailing and goods delivery in Austin, Texas, Miami and Washington, D.C., and focused on building a profitable self-driving business. Scaling this technology is key, driving us to explore a variety of cities in the U.S. to expand our self-driving services. We will share more information about our self-driving business in the future," Ford said in a statement sent to the Dallas Business Journal.
Electric vehicle company Rivian Automotive Inc., after eyeing Fort Worth, last month selected Georgia for a massive manufacturing site. It is set to invest $5 billion in a campus in the southern state for its electric adventure vehicles, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced in a statement last month. It will create approximately 7,500 jobs.
Working in collaboration with its partner, Argo AI, Ford (NYSE: F) is testing self-driving vehicles in cities such as Pittsburgh, Miami, Washington, D.C. and Detroit, according to its website. Argo employs 1,500 workers globally, 500 of whom are based out of its Pittsburgh headquarters.
The $160 million investment is estimated to include $2.5 million in tenant improvements and $157.5 million in autonomous vehicles and technology, the document said.
