Innovation in the making, working among the great. Part 1 of Mexican Engineering around the world

Gabriela Betancourt

Innovation and excellence are words that govern the work of our engineers, including Gabriela Betancourt Santana, Body Interior CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) Supervisor.

Gabriela is a mechanical engineering graduate of UNAM. Since joining Ford in 2013, she has climbed the ranks to become a leader within the company. Her current role involves leading a team that performs virtual and simulation analyses to verify whether the components of the designed vehicles meet the necessary tests and requirements.

Throughout her career, Gabriela has gained experience in various areas, including interior design and tooling. This trajectory has allowed her to develop an in-depth understanding of how individual components contribute to a vehicle's overall performance.

One of Gabriela's most notable achievements is her research in the area of design. She has conducted significant studies that have contributed to improving the design and manufacturing process. In particular, she conducted a study on how to balance different aspects of design to improve the performance of components without affecting their aesthetics or functionality.

This research addressed a common challenge in component engineering: how to add reinforcements to components without compromising their appearance or their ability to be manufactured efficiently. To this end, Gabriela developed a digital tool that allows engineers to evaluate the impact of different reinforcement designs on component performance and its manufacturability. This tool has proven valuable in optimizing component design, resulting in higher quality and more efficient products in terms of production.

Roberto Villegas

With a solid academic background in engineering. He has dedicated several years of his career to innovating in vehicle braking systems, becoming a key figure within the company.

At Ford, Roberto specializes in the development of electromechanical brakes and electronic brake pedal. Electromechanical brakes replace traditional hydraulic systems with electronic actuators, improving efficiency and reducing maintenance. The electronic brake pedal eliminates the mechanical connection, offering a faster and more precise response.

Roberto's work has resulted in the obtaining of five patents related to the electronic brake pedal. These patents cover various innovations, from optimizing pedal design to improvements in braking system efficiency and safety. Each patent represents a significant step towards creating safer and more efficient vehicles.

These innovations not only improve the functionality of the brake pedal, but also contribute to the reduction of vehicle weight and production costs by eliminating traditional mechanical components and replacing them with advanced electronic solutions. Thanks to these developments, Ford is able to offer its customers vehicles with state-of-the-art braking technology, which responds faster and more precisely to the needs of the driver.

Roberto has worked closely with engineers in the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom. Today, he leads global projects that are transforming the automotive industry, demonstrating the power of Mexican talent and global collaboration.

Moises Hernandez

Moisés is an aeronautical engineer with a master's degree in Quality Engineering. He joined Ford in 2012, starting in the Design area and then moving to the plastics area in 2016, and in 2018 to the "Hard Trim" area in interiors, where he worked on the Ford Maverick. Currently, he is a supervisor of Body Interior, working on "Flooring Systems" and "Trunk Systems".

During his time at the Maverick, Moises was responsible for designing and developing key parts such as the "Lower Trim", "Scuff Plates" and "Seat Rings". His work spanned from conceptualization to manufacturing, ensuring that each component met Ford's standards for quality and performance.

Moises has coordinated multiple teams and suppliers to ensure that all parts fit perfectly into the final design of the vehicle. This coordination included the implementation of rigorous testing to ensure the durability and safety of each component. The goal of optimizing materials is to select those that offer the best performance without compromising quality.

The engineering team in Mexico played a crucial role in the design and launch of the Ford Maverick, demonstrating its ability to handle complete vehicle platforms. The engineering and manufacturing of the Maverick were carried out in Mexico, underscoring the importance of Mexican talent in these projects.

As for global collaboration, Moisés values the reputation of the Mexican team abroad, highlighting its creativity and ability to overcome challenges. Confidence in Mexican engineering is high, and Moises believes this positive reputation will continue to strengthen global collaboration at Ford.

Learn more about the achievements of Mexican Engineers in the second part of this story, coming soon.