Ford Readying a Fleet of Self-Driving Cars for 2021

Key features of Ford's plans for a fleet of shared autonomous vehicles potentially telegraph how the first wave of at-scale adoption will take place.

1 minute read

April 16, 2018, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Self-Driving Delivery Vehicle

Steve Lagreca / Shutterstock

Details are emerging about Ford Motor Company's plans for an autonomous vehicle fleet expected for delivery in 2021. Jim Farley, Ford's executive vice president and president of global markets, recently gave new details to the Financial Times (paywall), and it looks like Ford is thinking big for 2021.

Jon Fingas shares the details of that interview and what's already know about the company's autonomous vehicle plans. Fingas seems especially interested in the idea that Ford will be operating its own fleet of driverless cars—not partnering with Lyft or some other operator.

Farley also stressed that this would be a truly Ford-run service. While Ford does have self-driving car partnerships with companies like Lyft, it intends to "own the fleet" for its own services. That's somewhat similar to Renault-Nissan, but a sharp contrast with Jaguar Land RoverVolvo and others focused on selling vehicles to outside services.

Also of note to planners: According to Fingas, Ford is preparing for a decline in vehicle ownership. "Its leadership has repeatedly talked about preparing for the decline of car ownership, and that means a shift toward services (such as its on-demand commuter vans) instead of pure car sales."

Sunday, April 15, 2018 in Engadget

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

6 hours ago - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Public Market sign over Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington with pop-up booths on street.

Seattle’s Pike Place Market Leans Into Pedestrian Infrastructure

After decades of debate, the market is testing a car ban in one of its busiest areas and adding walking links to the surrounding neighborhood.

5 hours ago - Cascade PBS

Yellow and silver light rain train in downtown Long Beach, California.

The World’s Longest Light Rail Line is in… Los Angeles?

In a city not known for its public transit, the 48.5-mile A Line is the longest of its kind on the planet.

7 hours ago - Secret Los Angeles

Man reaching for young girl sliding down playground slide.

Quantifying Social Infrastructure

New developments have clear rules for ensuring surrounding roads, water, and sewers can handle new users. Why not do the same for community amenities?

May 15 - Happy Cities