2025 Ford UCAN Innovation Competition National Final Successfully Concludes

On August 17, amid a vibrant and passionate summer, the 2025 Ford UCAN Innovation Competition national final successfully concluded in Shanghai. The competition attracted nearly 3,000 university students nationwide to participate enthusiastically. After rigorous selections, 36 young participants stood out and showcased their creativity and talent at the final competition.

This year's competition is themed around Ford's brand proposition, “Unleash Fun, Wild at Heart” emphasizing the cultivation of innovative thinking and the application of AI technology. Over the past few months, participants have not only received comprehensively upgraded online live training but also gained a deeper insights of Ford's brand culture and the latest industry trends through diverse activities such as corporate visits and offline workshops. These sessions provided valuable practical opportunities, enabling students to explore market needs in a real business environment and translate theoretical knowledge into practical solutions.

On the first day, the participants visited Changan Ford's Hangzhou Plant, witnessing the complete vehicle manufacturing process up close, gaining a deeper, three-dimensional understanding of the automotive industry. Later in the innovation workshop, they brainstormed solutions and developed distinctive mobility innovation concepts designed to enhance travel experiences for car owners across multiple dimensions, including self-driving, camping, family trips, pet-friendliness, extreme weather challenges, and space utilization.

The champion project, “Ford Bronco Basecamp,” is a smart camping tent designed for Bronco. The tent can be directly accessed from inside the vehicle and connected to the car's air conditioning for comfort and energy efficiency, and offers rental services.

Molly Yang, Ford China Vice President of Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility stated: "It’s a great honor to witness so many outstanding young talents showcasing their creativity. Ford aims to continuously empower the younger generation through the Ford UCAN Innovation Competition platform, helping them achieve greater success in their future careers while also injecting new momentum into the innovative development of the entire industry."

Funded by Ford Philanthropy, Ford China launched UCAN program in 2018, which aims to support the youth using STEAM and innovation approaches to solve challenges in future mobility. As of 2025, UCAN has empowered nearly 9,000 university students through in-depth innovation empowerment. Over 300 Ford volunteers have participated in the program, providing the students with professional guidance and mentorship. With the successful conclusion of the 2025 Ford UCAN Innovation Competition, Ford has once again demonstrated its commitment to fostering innovative talent. Looking ahead, Ford will continue to collaborate with partners cross-field to explore better mobility solutions and embrace the era of intelligence.