Ford to turn Detroit train station into high-tech hub

The Ford Motor Company has bought an iconic 104-year-old train station in Detroit, Michigan, and plans to spend $US740 million ($A1 billion) to turn it into what could be one of its most important technology hubs.

Ford purchased the rundown Michigan Central Depot, the former Michigan Central train station in Detroit's Corktown neighbourhood, for around $US90 million ($A124m) and has announced plans to turn the massive building into what it’s calling a high-tech campus.

It will be the headquarters for the Ford Autonomous Vehicles business spin-off, which will focus on self-driving cars and EVs – and could be the birthplace for the upcoming Ford Mach 1 electric vehicle.

The new Ford Mach 1 EV is tipped to be an high-performance SUV that borrows styling elements of the iconic Ford Mustang.

Electric and autonomous vehicles are expected to become mainstream commodities by around 2025 to 2030, and Ford is clearly putting aside big bucks to make sure it's not left behind.

According to details obtained by Automotive News, the facility will house up to 5000 EV and autonomous car specialists. The trick will be enticing the IT professionals from Silicon Valley, the current hub of all things autonomous.

Ford is apparently seeking almost $US240 million in government funding to help pay for the refurbishment, and will sink about $US 500 million of its own capital to transform the decrepit train station into a thriving campus featuring offices, residential apartments, event spaces and commercial (shopping) space.

Detroit has been the traditional home of US car-making since Henry Ford began building the Model T there in 1908, revolutionising automotive manufacturing and assembly processes. Detroit became known as Motor City and Motown after the likes of Chrysler and General Motors also set up shop there.