Ford Motor Company is taking another step toward improving vehicle quality with a newly filed patent for an exterior quality evaluation system. The patent, filed in January 2024 and published in July 2025, details how Ford may integrate advanced imaging and analysis technology into its production process to help ensure higher quality vehicles for customers.

The system would capture images of vehicles during multiple stages, including assembly lines, transport depots, and even dealerships. These images would then be analyzed to identify potential imperfections—such as paint blemishes or surface irregularities—before a vehicle reaches the customer. If an issue is detected, the system could automatically redirect the vehicle to the appropriate department for correction, preventing problems from slipping through unnoticed.

This patent aligns with Ford’s broader push to strengthen vehicle quality. In recent years, the company has implemented initiatives such as management presence on assembly lines, tougher testing for redesigned models, and expanded recall reviews. Adding automated exterior quality checks could further enhance consistency and customer satisfaction.

While there’s no guarantee this system will appear in future Ford products, it demonstrates the automaker’s ongoing commitment to innovation and quality assurance. Ford has emphasized that patent filings are not always a direct indicator of production plans but rather a way to protect and develop ideas that could shape the vehicles of tomorrow.