Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for a center console designed for ride sharing that may be used in future Ford vehicles, Ford Authority has learned.
The patent was filed on December 21st, 2022, published on July 8th, 2025, and assigned serial number 12351134.
The Ford Authority Take
Ford has filed several patents exploring different ways that its center consoles might evolve in the future, an area that has become increasingly prone to innovation across the automotive world, in general. That list includes ideas for a console with a movable table, as well as a movable center console with hidden storage space, to name just a few. Now, this newly published patent keeps that trend going with yet another new idea focused on the same sort of thing – this time, for a center console that’s specifically designed for use in future Ford vehicles used for ride sharing purposes.
In this case, we’re looking at what could be called the Transformers of center consoles, given the fact that it would be capable of doing all sorts of things – and moving to many different positions. That’s possible given the console’s ability to hold a display such as a screen – which could prove useful for rideshare customers – along with a storage tray, a deployable table, a garbage bin, a bag holder, and much more. Such a feature would certainly prove useful for those that opt to use their future Ford vehicle for rideshare purposes, if it does wind up making it to production one day.
“Submitting patent applications is a normal part of any strong business as the process protects new ideas and helps us build a robust portfolio of intellectual property,” Ford said in a statement. “The ideas described within a patent application should not be viewed as an indication of our business or product plans. No matter what the patent application outlines, we will always put the customer first in the decision-making behind the development and marketing of new products and services.”
Comments
A major reason manufacturers have been designing most suv’s with 5-8 passenger capacity is cost savings from smaller brakes, no front center airbag deployment, and no center seatbelt & anchors. I would think all that would need to be added for 6-9 passenger capacity. And who wants to ride three across in an Escape (pictured) let alone an Expedition?
i pay extra to get a front bench seat…69/40 like in my 90 Mercury Sale and 97/99 F150
How about just bringing back the bench seat?