Ford on auto industry, mobility: 'Every single thing is changing'

Bill Ford Jr., executive chairman of Ford Motor Co., recognizes the automotive industry is on the verge of mutation and wants his 114-year old legacy company to remain a top performer. Speaking to Detroit Economic Club members Tuesday at Ford Field in Detroit, Ford said every aspect of the automotive business model is being disrupted by new technologies. "Every single thing is changing; from what's propelling cars, to the ownership model to artificial intelligence, 3-D printing ... autonomous driving ... even the way we finance," Ford said. Great fortunes will be made in this era." Ford said the "race" to autonomous driving and mobility is so often focused on the next technology advancement that the companies are missing the sole purpose of those advancements: people. "This is all about people," he said. "It's not who is first to market, but who is most thoughtful to market.