Ford's Flat Rock plant expansion

[Nikked]

In Auto News

In addition to adding 1,200 new hourly jobs needed for the Fusion production, Ford also is investing $555 million to build a state-of-the-art, fully flexible body shop capable of producing multiple vehicles. Ford wants to increase the flexibility of its equipment and facilities to build multiple vehicles at one location, as it aims to produce 25 percent more derivatives per plant by 2015 versus 2011 on a global basis.

A good sign of what ford looking at world wide...

[Fiesta_Man69]

Yep, Ford is looking solid in the US and Europe.....

No doubt the Fusion will be a successful global vehicle. Priced right it should do extremely well in Australia.

[csv8]

Originally Posted by Fiesta_Man69

Yep, Ford is looking solid in the US and Europe.....

No doubt the Fusion will be a successful global vehicle. Priced right it should do extremely well in Australia.

[bmorris]

Just like Fords other mid size cars that have been selling so well here.....

[Buntz]

Nikked could you do something with this image and do a chop?

[Moby Vic]

This should be a nice result after the divorce from Mazda.

For 2 years, while making a pilgrimage to the St. Thomas, Ontario plant where my Crown Vic was built, I drove past the Flat Rock plant. In 2010 I was amazed to see a big sign trumpeting "Home of the Mazda6," with no mention of the Mustang.

In 2011 I don't think they had any sign up, and I actually went into the parking lot, which was mostly empty, with weeds growing up through the pavement.

[csv8]

Be nice if the FH get the Fusion bonett, grill, lights etc
Can someone photoshop the Fusion front to the FG ?? thanx

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by Buntz93ED

Nikked could you do something with this image and do a chop?

image

What do you have in mind?

[ivorya]

Originally Posted by csv8

Be nice if the FH get the Fusion bonett, grill, lights etc
Can someone photoshop the Fusion front to the FG ?? thanx

Just look at the Current Territory ;) ---- Without the height.

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by Nikked

What do you have in mind?

That red Fusion face onto either Mustang or Falcon.... or both?


Mark Fields has an interview with a lackluster reporter about the Flat Rock plant:
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/11/f...-succeed-mula/

[jpd80]

Don't miss the significance of the announced Flat Rock upgrades and flex body shop ahead of negotiations with the CAW,
Canadian workers are bucking at the proposed changes to their new contract, this could be passive pressure signalling
that Ford isn't afraid to bring future Canadian production back to US plants, maybe a gentle reality check?

[Bossxr8]

Isn't this where they make the Mustang?

Gearing up for RHD production?

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Isn't this where they make the Mustang?

Gearing up for RHD production?

Basically, they have kicked Mazda out and building the Fusion there.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Isn't this where they make the Mustang?

Gearing up for RHD production?

There's been nothing said so far about where RHD Mustangs will be made.

But yes, this is where Mustangs are made. With paint shop upgrades this plant could have a theoretical capacity of 440,000 units/year and they'll need it if they are going to be expected to meet demand for the Fusion.

[Moby Vic]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Don't miss the significance of the announced Flat Rock upgrades and flex body shop ahead of negotiations with the CAW,
Canadian workers are bucking at the proposed changes to their new contract, this could be passive pressure signalling
that Ford isn't afraid to bring future Canadian production back to US plants, maybe a gentle reality check?

With the loonie stronger than the American dollar there's no advantage to building in Canada now.

[Fiesta_Man69]

The only problem I see with the Fusion (in Australia) is that it might be too good - and while it will take sales from the opposition (which is great), it may lower Falcon sales even further.

The Fusion/Modeo (whatever it will be called in Aus) is a great looking car. It will also handle very well, as the current Mondeo is a great steer. The Fusion is also being fitted with (among others) the 1 litre ecoboost that is good for up to a reliable 200hp.....

So if you have a Fusion and Falcon sitting on the lot, which is going to attract the buying public?

Put side by side the Falcon looks at least a generation or two older than the Fusion. The Fusion with the 1 litre will get economy in the 4s vs the Ecoboost in the Falcon getting 8s.... the Fusion will have more kit too at a cheaper price. ($35-37K will get you all the fruit, starting price should hopefully challenge Camry/Kia/Hyundai)

Size? The Mazda 3 is bigger than the original VB Commodore inside.... The larger Fusion has very similar interior space compared to the EA Falcon range of 20 odd years ago.

So unless you are towing or are the 1% of Aussie buyers who care/know which wheels drive their car, what's going to be the choice?

Ford Aus needs to think radical: fit the new coroporate nose to the Falcon (use the Territory if necessary) and drop the 1 litre turbo in there with around 150hp - it will still do 0-100 in around 10 and be far more economical than the Commodore... use the 'newness' of the Fusion to rub off on the Falcon and use it to sell the Falcon as an 'upsized' version of the Fusion.

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by Fiesta_Man69

The only problem I see with the Fusion (in Australia) is that it might be too good - and while it will take sales from the opposition (which is great), it may lower Falcon sales even further.

The Fusion/Modeo (whatever it will be called in Aus) is a great looking car. It will also handle very well, as the current Mondeo is a great steer. The Fusion is also being fitted with (among others) the 1 litre ecoboost that is good for up to a reliable 200hp.....

So if you have a Fusion and Falcon sitting on the lot, which is going to attract the buying public?

A few minor things here.

1.) We will get the Mondeo.
2.) Fusion has no plans for 1.0L EcoBoost. Mondeo will, so we will get it.
3.) Mondeo sales aren't what Falcon's are. Some say this is due to no TDCI available from europe and long waits.
4.) Falcon should wear the new look come 2014. So people will see to car with similar size, and looks. And depending on their preference, will choose either power (Falcon), or thriftiness, and tech (Mondeo)

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by Buntz93ED

A few minor things here.

1.) We will get the Mondeo.
2.) Fusion has no plans for 1.0L EcoBoost. Mondeo will, so we will get it.
3.) Mondeo sales aren't what Falcon's are. Some say this is due to no TDCI available from europe and long waits.
4.) Falcon should wear the new look come 2014. So people will see to car with similar size, and looks. And depending on their preference, will choose either power (Falcon), or thriftiness, and tech (Mondeo)

How has already said we arrn't getting the 1.0L Ecoboost in Australia. And I'm hoping the 2014 Falcon update will get the much needed Tech upgrades & there wont be a gap of Tech stuff between, Falcon & Mondeo..

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by Fiesta_Man69

Size? The Mazda 3 is bigger than the original VB Commodore inside.... The larger Fusion has very similar interior space compared to the EA Falcon range of 20 odd years ago.

if only the media would stop calling them mid-sized cars

[Fiesta_Man69]

Originally Posted by Buntz93ED

A few minor things here.

1.) We will get the Mondeo.
2.) Fusion has no plans for 1.0L EcoBoost. Mondeo will, so we will get it.
3.) Mondeo sales aren't what Falcon's are. Some say this is due to no TDCI available from europe and long waits.
4.) Falcon should wear the new look come 2014. So people will see to car with similar size, and looks. And depending on their preference, will choose either power (Falcon), or thriftiness, and tech (Mondeo)

Point 2: Is the Fusion not the new Mondeo? Regardless of its nameplate in Aus (some have suggested we will use the Fusion name because of poor Mondeo sales - so the public think its a completely different car) this is whats replacing the current Mondeo, is it not?

The 1 litre EB is appearing in the Fiesta, Focus, and new Fusion/Modeo in Europe. When the engine gets built in Thailand we will get it, if not before.

[outback_ute]

Very impressive flexibility to build both the rwd Mustang and transverse fwd Fusion - on the same line?

With the Belgian Genk plant rumoured to be closed, could they do all LHD production in Flat Rock and RHD in Broadmeadows? And what about the wagons and hatchbacks that are not sold in the US - build those here too? Or would it be cheaper to just build them beside the Focus in another European plant?

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Basically, they have kicked Mazda out and building the Fusion there.

Mazda left because the North American Mazda 6 was an unmitigated sales disaster.....

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by outback_ute

Very impressive flexibility to build both the rwd Mustang and transverse fwd Fusion - on the same line?

No they are separate final assembly line but IIRC, shared the old body shop.
Now, I think Ford is building a new fully flexed body shop to cover both sides of the plant.

With the Belgian Genk plant rumoured to be closed, could they do all LHD production in Flat Rock and RHD in Broadmeadows? And what about the wagons and hatchbacks that are not sold in the US - build those here too? Or would it be cheaper to just build them beside the Focus in another European plant?

Genk won't be closing and if anything, they will be adding Edge to the production roster...

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Buntz93ED

A few minor things here.

1.) We will get the Mondeo. YES
2.) Fusion has no plans for 1.0L EcoBoost. Mondeo will, so we will get it. NO, FoA HAS ALREADY NIXED IT
3.) Mondeo sales aren't what Falcon's are. Some say this is due to no TDCI available from europe and long waits. LOCAL PRODUCTION WITH AFFORDABLE HYBRID WOULD BE INTERESTING
4.) Falcon should wear the new look come 2014. So people will see to car with similar size, and looks. And depending on their preference, will choose either power (Falcon), or thriftiness, and tech (Mondeo) WELL SAID

Two years is a long time in motor vehicle sales, I hope it enough time for sales to recover and fuel prices to stabilise..

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by Fiesta_Man69

Ford Aus needs to think radical: fit the new coroporate nose to the Falcon (use the Territory if necessary) and drop the 1 litre turbo in there with around 150hp - it will still do 0-100 in around 10 and be far more economical than the Commodore... use the 'newness' of the Fusion to rub off on the Falcon and use it to sell the Falcon as an 'upsized' version of the Fusion.

With a 1 litre engine under the bonnet, they could almost advertise the Falcon as having 2 boots, one in the back and one in the front. And the one in the front can even keep your pizza or takeaway warm on the way home

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Two years is a long time in motor vehicle sales, I hope it enough time for sales to recover and fuel prices to stabilise..

Oh yeah... I think I remember reading that FoA nixed the 1.0L EB. That would just sink Falcon, so it should stay away, or find it's way under the bonnet of Falcon with the Formula Ford tune.

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

With a 1 litre engine under the bonnet, they could almost advertise the Falcon as having 2 boots, one in the back and one in the front. And the one in the front can even keep your pizza or takeaway warm on the way home

I prefer the taste of olive oil over motor oil.