Ford Motor Company has announced the opening of the new Research and Innovation Center Palo Alto. With the new facility, Ford expects to have automotive manufacturer research centers in Silicon Valley by the end of the year, with 125 researchers, engineers and scientists. Located in Stanford Research Park, the facility also expands Ford's physical footprint - with further expansion planned in the near future.

Ford opened its first Silicon Valley office in 2012. Leading the new research center is Dragos Maciuca, an engineer who joins Ford from Apple with a background in consumer electronics, semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace and automotive. As senior technical leader for innovation, Maciuca brings extensive Silicon Valley experience advising startups, developing and commercializing products, collaborating with universities and leading cross-functional teams.