Mayor Bowser to Announce Job Training Partnership for District Residents with Ford Motor Company’s Autonomous Vehicle Program

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, October 22, at 2 pm., Mayor Bowser will join CEO of Ford Autonomous Vehicles LLC, Sherif Marakby, to announce the company’s entrance into the DC market and a partnership that will create job training opportunities in the automotive field for District residents.

The announcement is part of Ford’s move to test self-driving technology on DC streets. In choosing Washington, DC, the automotive leader highlighted the District’s commitment to safety and ensuring equity across all eight wards.

In February, the Bowser Administration announced efforts to explore an autonomous vehicle (AV) program by establishing the Interagency AV Working Group. This group has been proactively preparing the District for AV technologies and working to ensure that deployment will benefit all District residents and visitors. The working group, comprised of Bowser Administration agencies focused on transportation, disability rights, environmental issues, and public safety, has been developing guiding principles for the District to maximize benefits and proactively address challenges.

WHEN:

Monday, October 22, at 2 pm

WHO:

Mayor Muriel Bowser
Sherif Marakby, CEO of Ford Autonomous Vehicles LLC
Brian Kenner, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development

WHERE:

The Wharf – District Pier/Dockmaster Building
101 District Square, SW
*Closest Metro: L'Enfant Plaza Metro Station*

Press interested in attending the event are asked to RSVP to press@dc.gov. To view the event online, visit mayor.dc.gov/live or tune in on Channel 16 (DCN).