The automaker announced it has created Ford Autonomous Vehicles , which will house the company's self driving systems integration, autonomous vehicle research and advanced engineering, AV transportation-as-a-service network development, user experience, business strategy and business development teams.

The $4 billion spending plan includes a $1 billion investment in startup Argo AI. The new outfit will be primarily based at Ford's Corktown campus in Detroit and will hold Ford's ownership stake in Argo AI, the company's Pittsburgh-based partner for self-driving system development.

Ford CEO Jim Hackett said"  “Now is the right time to consolidate our autonomous driving platform into one team to best position the business for the opportunities ahead. Ford has made tremendous progress across the self driving value chain — from technology development to business model innovation to user experience."