Tuesday morning was our third and final day at #FordNAIAS .  We were up early, packed and checked out of our rooms before our 9am breakfast.  We would all be heading home after our morning of activities.

We headed over to the Dearborn Inn for some “behind the scenes” sessions to learn more about Ford, their process, their technologies and their style.

First #FordNAIAS Session: “Big Data”

As a cartographer and GIS Analyst, I deal with a lot of data all day long.  Going in I was very excited to hear how Ford uses data analysis.  The session didn’t quite live up to my expectations.  I was hoping for a deep analytical conversation about databases and data collection process, but this conversation was much more high level and generalized.  

John Grinder – Manager, Systems Analysis
Michael Cavaretta – Technical Leaders, Data Science
John Viera – Director, Sustainability & Vehicle Environmental Matters
Sheryl Connolly – Futurist

It was nice to see Sheryl Connolly again. I first heard her speak at ShesConnected.

Second #FordNAIAS Session: The re-design of the 2015 Ford Mustang

Inside Sketches

Sketches become digital

Clay Models are crafted and 3D printed parts are designed

It was really hard to believe that it was all clay.

Fabrics and interior details are chosen 

Fabrics and details are added to the model

 Exterior Sketches

Exterior Clay Model is crafted

Watching the modeller work with this tools to define the lines and curves of the Mustang was amazing. A true artist!

Exterior Model is built

Once the clay model is ready, 3D photographs are taken and the clay model becomes digital.  From the digital designs, the prototypes are created.

This one was a hollow plastic shell.

Exterior Paints are chosen

There are 10 colours that customers can choose from for the 2015 Mustang: 

• Race Red
• Competition Orange
• Triple Yellow
• Deep Impact Blue
• Ruby Red
• Black
• Magnetic
• Guard
• Ingot Silver
• Oxford White

Prototype is built 

From Clay to Model to Prototype

It truly was an amazing experience to talk with the designers to hear about the re-design process for the 2015 Mustang.  They all had passion and excitement about their work and you just knew that they had the heritage and love for Ford in their hearts.

Read more on the FordConnect page — Inside the Ford Design Studio

Time to drive!!

We all had a chance to drive a new Ford vehicle.  On Day One they had us fill out a little questionnaire to decide which vehicle we’d be driving.  I was chosen to drive the Ford Flex.  I had driven the Flex before so I knew what to expect, but seeing different sights around Detroit was very fun!

This totally set the tone for my drive!

First stop: Comerica Park — Home of the Detroit Tigers 

We ran into some friends!

We drove by Ford World Headquarters

Time to go home

After a great lunch at the Dearborn Inn, we headed back to the hotel to pick up our luggage. After a bit of a wait, we went to the airport to make our way back to Toronto!

The plane’s propeller outside my window

Can you see Ford Canada Headquarters?

Bonjour!

Thank you to everyone who made #FordNAIAS spectacular!

Thanks to my new Canadian blogging friends.  It was only a few fun-filled days together, but I feel that I’ve made friends for life!

Thanks to Ford Canada’s Social Media Team — Mike Ellis, Craig Silva and Anson Dixon.  Thanks for bringing all of these great bloggers together!

A huge thank you to Ford Canada for inviting me on this amazing trip!  

Thanks to the Ford US team for making the whole FordNAIAS experience beyond my imagination!  The things that I saw and learned will be with me forever!

 #FordNAIAS posts:

Before FordNAIAS

Day 1

Day 2

Disclosure: Ford Motor Company paid for my transportation, accommodations and food. I was not compensated for my time. I was not asked to write blog posts or promote the show or the experience on social media. I did this on my own. All opinions expressed are my own.