Okay, so by now we all know Ford is going to boost Mustang production, which is good, because I may actually get my car in this century. But, the flip side is that will this affect build quality. I am a maintenance trainer at a nuclear power plant. We spend a considerable amount of time looking at Human Perfromance and trying to help people learn how to avoid errors. One of the error likely situations we look at is fatigue from long working hours or excessive overtime. There is actually a law that limits how much overtime a nuclear power plant worker can work. They probably don't have this rule in the UAW.

So, is anybody worried about build quality if they start trying to crank out the new ponies faster?

 

Yeah, those poor fatigued robots... wait...

I keed!

I would definintely not be worried about it. They're just adding a shift or people or both. And besides, that's what a warranty's for, right? Right. Just don't splotch my paint, rip my seat, crack my plastic or glass, and everything else will be fine.

/if I ever get lucky enough...

 

Not a chance. If you recall, AAI is on a two shift operation. If orders can justify it, they will go to three + weekends.

 

They are increasing production over last years numbers, a fact from the beginning, nothing new. They will not add a 3rd shift as that time is used for maintenance.

 

That is a valid concern, but I can only hope they add more folks (read: create more jobs) to the production line. I'm so early on in my wait, that I doubt it will make any difference to me by the time my car is built. However, Ripstang had some issues involving missing and incorrect parts on his recently-delivered 'Stang. It does give you pause. Cross your fingers and hope for the best. Little more we can do! As someone else said, that's why there's warranties. To be on the safe side, INSPECT your car closely upon delivery and keep a journal of things you find out of the ordinary. It pays to be diligent, especially with regard to a NEW new vehicle.

 

Don't they build more than one product (car model) on the production line? I would think they'll scale back on the other (slower selling) models they produce on the line and keep the same work shift structure. More Mustangs less Mazdas?

I'm not worried about this increase affecting quality.

From the AA website

Plant Facts
AutoAlliance International, Inc.

Location: 1 International Drive, Flat Rock, MI
Size: 2.7 million square feet
Employment: Over 3,700 hourly and salaried employees
Products: Mazda6, Ford Mustang

 

The mustang plant it a new plant. And I am 99% positive they are only building the mustang on the line

 

Well they could probably cut the production of the V6 all together because every dealers lot I see has at least 4.

 

That 1% got ya! They also build Mazda's on that line!

 

Brad posted some info from a Ford rep where they said they won't reduce the number of Mazda6's being produced. The Mazda6 is selling better than last year.

 

That 1% got ya! They also build Mazda's on that line!
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And it's not new plant either. It was built in 1984.

 

If anything, they will probably increase overtime or run the plant at full capacity.

All this really means for us is we will get more cars, and the workers on the line will enjoy plenty of overtime.