Flat Rock Ford plant to be idled
4/21/13, 09:54 AM
#1
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Flat Rock Ford Plant To Be Idled
April 20, 2013 at 1:00 am
Flat Rock Ford plant to be idled
Automaker needs time to prepare for Fusion production
· By Karl Henkel
· The Detroit News
Ford Motor Co.'s Flat Rock Assembly Plant will shut down for a month this summer to prepare for production of the Fusion mid-size car,the Dearborn automaker confirmed Friday.
Beginning the final week of June, Ford will idle the plant, which currently produces the Mustang during its one-shift operation, to train new workers and finalize current production plans for the Fusion.
The plant normally takes about two weeks off during summer months, a United Auto Workers official said; that idle time will be expanded this year. The plant will also be idled for a week in early May.
Fusion production at Flat Rock is slated to begin in late August, though that date has fluctuated, union officials have said. That means Fusion cars from Flat Rock would begin arriving at dealerships in late fall.
There is a vocal contingent of American Fusion fans that have already put off buying the new 2013 Fusion because it is built in Hermosillo, Mexico. Demand for that Fusion, however, has remained at record levels.
Ford sold more than 30,000 Fusions in March — a monthly sales record — and is looking to supplement production at its three-shift Hermosillo plant with an additional shift at Flat Rock.
Though the Mustang line will also shut down for a month,Ford doesn't have plans to ramp up production of the pony car in advance of the idle period; the plant is already producing the maximum number of Mustangs units eight-hour shift. And demand for the current generation Mustang has waned recently as talk of a new Mustang for 2015 heats up.
The Flat Rock Assembly Plant's 1,700 workers will get most of their pay during the changeover. When a second shift is added, the plant will employ more than 3,000.
khenkel@detroitnews.com
(313)222-2504
twitter.com/karlhenk
Flat Rock Ford plant to be idled
Automaker needs time to prepare for Fusion production
· By Karl Henkel
· The Detroit News
Ford Motor Co.'s Flat Rock Assembly Plant will shut down for a month this summer to prepare for production of the Fusion mid-size car,the Dearborn automaker confirmed Friday.
Beginning the final week of June, Ford will idle the plant, which currently produces the Mustang during its one-shift operation, to train new workers and finalize current production plans for the Fusion.
The plant normally takes about two weeks off during summer months, a United Auto Workers official said; that idle time will be expanded this year. The plant will also be idled for a week in early May.
Fusion production at Flat Rock is slated to begin in late August, though that date has fluctuated, union officials have said. That means Fusion cars from Flat Rock would begin arriving at dealerships in late fall.
There is a vocal contingent of American Fusion fans that have already put off buying the new 2013 Fusion because it is built in Hermosillo, Mexico. Demand for that Fusion, however, has remained at record levels.
Ford sold more than 30,000 Fusions in March — a monthly sales record — and is looking to supplement production at its three-shift Hermosillo plant with an additional shift at Flat Rock.
Though the Mustang line will also shut down for a month,Ford doesn't have plans to ramp up production of the pony car in advance of the idle period; the plant is already producing the maximum number of Mustangs units eight-hour shift. And demand for the current generation Mustang has waned recently as talk of a new Mustang for 2015 heats up.
The Flat Rock Assembly Plant's 1,700 workers will get most of their pay during the changeover. When a second shift is added, the plant will employ more than 3,000.
khenkel@detroitnews.com
(313)222-2504
twitter.com/karlhenk
Last edited by Snoopy49; 4/22/13 at 11:40 PM.
4/23/13, 04:31 PM
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This makes me so mad, I have a Vin number, a scheduled build week of 5/13, and a scheduled delivery week of 5/27. I just hope them closing down will not affect my build or anybody else's for that matter. Also does anybody know if once the car is built and released does the plant have to be open for it to be shipped or does it go to some third-party shipyard. Meaning if my car is build when they're open and scheduled to be shipped when they're closed will it still be shipped even know the plant is closed. Thanks
4/23/13, 04:38 PM
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This makes me so mad, I have a Vin number, a scheduled build week of 5/13, and a scheduled delivery week of 5/27. I just hope them closing down will not affect my build or anybody else's for that matter. Also does anybody know if once the car is built and released does the plant have to be open for it to be shipped or does it go to some third-party shipyard. Meaning if my car is build when they're open and scheduled to be shipped when they're closed will it still be shipped even know the plant is closed. Thanks
Last edited by elkk; 4/23/13 at 04:41 PM.
4/23/13, 05:34 PM
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Went1tj, I think it is idled the first full week in May. I have seen people post build dates the week of 4/29 and 5/13, but no 5/6. I am just guessing here, but it seems like that could be the case based upon people's posted build dates.
4/23/13, 07:34 PM
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Thank you, I should be ok than I hope? Build 5/13 week
4/25/13, 07:48 AM
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Deysha
4/25/13, 10:37 AM
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Crazy that plant workers get most of their wages - absolutely no other business would do this. Unions really are stupid (there was a time and place). Our cars wouldn't cost nearly as much without them.
4/25/13, 05:26 PM
#14
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5/6/13, 10:36 AM
#16
Shelby GT350 Member
I think I got my order in right in time... early April should have it built in late May (after the shutdown) for hopefully delivery in mid June. Would be painful to wait until July!
5/6/13, 11:48 AM
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5/6/13, 03:33 PM
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5/6/13, 03:53 PM
#19
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5/6/13, 06:02 PM
#20
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I ordered my Mustang at Patriot Ford in Purcell. Very nice people to deal with.
http://www.patriotford.com/
http://www.patriotford.com/