fuzzymoomoo Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 So they Are going to move the Transit which just began production to MAP? Will the explorer fit at MAP, space is an issue there. How is it illogical to add another plant when a product is already maxed out at another plant? Fusion.... added FRAP F-150 has KCAP and MTP the EScape used to have KCAP and OHAP. The Kuga was previously made on the same line as the Focus. Again how is it illogical? Take a chill pill man, that's not the issue I was talking about, it's some others. Besides, you might turn out to be right about this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 An Alpha article: Mexico to loom large in Ford's contract talks with the UAW Jul 9 2015, 14:56 ET | About: Ford Motor Company (F) | By: Clark Schultz, SA News Editor Ford (F -0.3%) plans to move production of the next-gen Focus and C-Max models to Mexico in 2018. Both cars are currently produced at plants in Michigan. The automaker says it will discuss the future of the Michigan plants during its upcoming contract negotiations with the UAW. The big picture: Detroit automakers are expected to use the low-cost option of producing cars in Mexico as a bargaining chip in the contract talks with the UAW set to start in August. While nearly all the major automakers have added capacity in Mexico over the last year, so far it's been Canada which has been hit harder than Detroit from the trend. Again, I do understand labor differentials and all that. I continue to wonder however about the health of Mexico as a country. Or is it not as lawless as some make it out to be?? From a business sense, manufacturing in Mexico is a cost effective option. I think as a whole, Mexico as a country is ok, and the general lawlessness is centered near the U.S. border. That said, I have a friend who was an engineer on the 2013 Fusion and was down near the Hermosillo plant testing cars for a while and he did say that the police could be easily bought and paid for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pioneer Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 Looks like I'll be replacing my '09 a little sooner than I had thought. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 So....NAFTA strikes at the American Worker yet again.....what is really needed is for the UAW and CAW to get their collective asses south of the border and create an MAW so that the costs equal out....you aint gonna beat NAFTA, but you cant raise the quality of life so that the urge by Corporate HQ to leap across that border to take advantage of poorly paid Mexican employees.Or, maybe Donald Trump just bought a large bloc of Ford stock,..... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 (edited) Ford is NOT closing MAP. NOBODY IS LOSING A JOB BECAUSE OF THIS. Edited July 9, 2015 by RichardJensen 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 Ford is NOT closing MAP. NOBODY IS LOSING A JOB BECAUSE OF THIS. For now..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 Ford is NOT closing MAP. NOBODY IS LOSING A JOB BECAUSE OF THIS. I agree. I think the Focus has to move south of the border to make it cost effective to still build it. There's just not enough meat on the bone to pay American workers and build a c-class car and make a profit. The vehicle coming to MAP will be something with a bit more profit. All my opinion, of course. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoonerLS Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 Must be making room for the new Ranger, Bronco, manual transmission assembly line, and ohv V8 assembly line. No, it's for the expected uptick in MKT sales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 So....NAFTA strikes at the American Worker yet again.....what is really needed is for the UAW and CAW to get their collective asses south of the border and create an MAW so that the costs equal out....you aint gonna beat NAFTA, but you cant raise the quality of life so that the urge by Corporate HQ to leap across that border to take advantage of poorly paid Mexican employees. Or, maybe Donald Trump just bought a large bloc of Ford stock,..... In all seriousness Ford is short on production space and isn't going to close the plant...the real question of the hour is what is going there to replace it? I see the Escape/TC getting branded about for going there...but is really that much more demand for the Escape (and MKC) then what LAP can produce? I don't think the market is pent up enough to have another 100K Escapes sold every year. The TC also wouldnt barely be able to fill one shift a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzcat Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 (edited) In all seriousness Ford is short on production space and isn't going to close the plant...the real question of the hour is what is going there to replace it? I see the Escape/TC getting branded about for going there...but is really that much more demand for the Escape (and MKC) then what LAP can produce? I don't think the market is pent up enough to have another 100K Escapes sold every year. The TC also wouldnt barely be able to fill one shift a year. Ford is probably expecting the new C3 hybrid/PHEV to be a big seller. Let say 100k worldwide? Seems achievable. Ford is selling 50k Transit Connect in the US now with a very long supply chain. If production is localized (therefore, better inventory mix) and let say Ford wins the USPS van contract, you can easily see sales reach 75k a year. Plus Canada and Mexico (I'm going to guess 15k). Now add Transit Connect pickup truck, which add 30k a year? Maybe a little more? Now we are up to 220~230k... enough to keep MAP busy. Edited July 9, 2015 by bzcat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aneekr Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 (edited) MAP? World-class quality vehicles? Edited July 9, 2015 by aneekr 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PREMiERdrum Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 I continue to wonder however about the health of Mexico as a country. Or is it not as lawless as some make it out to be?? Stay away from the border towns and some parts of Mexico City and you're fine. They are well aware that US travel and manufacturing is vital to their survival. If you've never been to the Mexican Gulf coast, I highly recommend it. Beautiful beaches, amazing service everywhere, and it's really not at all expensive. (Disclosure: PREMiERdrum is a travel agent, authorized Disney Vacation Specialist, and member of the Cruise Line Industry Association. In his spare time, of course.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pioneer Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Ford is NOT closing MAP. NOBODY IS LOSING A JOB BECAUSE OF THIS. No. But I'm losing my choice of a USA built Ford C sized car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 No. But I'm losing my choice of a USA built Ford C sized car. There's always the Dodge Dart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pioneer Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 (edited) There's always the Dodge DartI owned a Chrysler product once. Wife even leased a Jeep before we were married. We learned one simple lesson. Never again. Edited July 10, 2015 by Pioneer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Extreme4x4 Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 So....NAFTA strikes at the American Worker yet again.....what is really needed is for the UAW and CAW to get their collective asses south of the border and create an MAW so that the costs equal out....you aint gonna beat NAFTA, but you cant raise the quality of life so that the urge by Corporate HQ to leap across that border to take advantage of poorly paid Mexican employees. Or, maybe Donald Trump just bought a large bloc of Ford stock,..... Wow................ ok. Lets see, Mexican auto workers already have their own union. Auto worker jobs in Mexico are coveted and have long lines/waiting lists. The plants are their own cities, with good housing, stores, and schools. So, the workers make more than their hourly wage dictates. Also, what they make, on average, is many times what the average Mexican worker makes. I'm all for "Made in the USA," however, auto manufacturing jobs in Mexico brings up the Mexican workers quality of life................. and the life of their family. Happy workers means less "dreamers," jumping the fence or crawling through tunnels. This is a good thing. If it takes no jobs from the American workers, then where is the negative?? (I know, you would like more plants built in the US) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullynd Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 They are obviously creating a line of brown, diesel, manual transmission only wagons and need a plant of this size to cover the obvious 3 shift production a vehicle of this stature requires. Don't forget the bench seat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
02MustangGT Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Plenty of C class vehicles to choose from. If you choose not to purchase a Ford because of the shift to production in Mexico, that's your decision. Ford is in the business of turning a profit, so if they can increase profit by producing vehicles in Mexico, I don't have a problem with it. Don't get me wrong, my father retired from ALCOA and the associated Union, so I understand your frustration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 I owned a Chrysler product once. Wife even leased a Jeep before we were married. We learned one simple lesson. Never again. But.... Maybe... Yeah, I got nothing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blazerdude20 Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 No. But I'm losing my choice of a USA built Ford C sized car. Maybe get an Escape or if they put a new C sized hybrid in the plant? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Footballfan Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Michigan Assembly Plant was designed to run 300,000 units a year- it was not designed to run several vehicles of 25-50K units per year such as the Transit Connect, Ford Ranger, or future electric/hybrid car. And it was not designed to be an “overflow” plant. My best guess is that MAP is going to get the next-gen Fusion (with the MKZ moving to Flat Rock), and Hermosillo will build the next-gen Focus. Another guess is the next-gen Explorer going to Wayne (especially if the next-gen is going to be RWD) with Chicago getting the next-gen Fusion. Concentrating all Fusion production in the Midwest will cut back on transportation costs of shipping components between Mexico and Flat Rock. If Flat Rock were to continue to be used as overflow for the Fusion, transportation costs would be lower. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Michigan Assembly Plant was designed to run 300,000 units a year- it was not designed to run several vehicles of 25-50K units per year such as the Transit Connect, Ford Ranger, or future electric/hybrid car. And it was not designed to be an “overflow” plant. My best guess is that MAP is going to get the next-gen Fusion (with the MKZ moving to Flat Rock), and Hermosillo will build the next-gen Focus. Another guess is the next-gen Explorer going to Wayne (especially if the next-gen is going to be RWD) with Chicago getting the next-gen Fusion. Concentrating all Fusion production in the Midwest will cut back on transportation costs of shipping components between Mexico and Flat Rock. If Flat Rock were to continue to be used as overflow for the Fusion, transportation costs would be lower. Nope....Fusion sells in several South American markets and with the car being built in Mexico, it avoids those South American countries tarriffs against goods made in the USA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonj80 Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Nope....Fusion sells in several South American markets and with the car being built in Mexico, it avoids those South American countries tarriffs against goods made in the USA. Which is why it makes sense to build the Focus there as well, and why Mexico is fast becoming the auto assembly country for the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzcat Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Michigan Assembly Plant was designed to run 300,000 units a year- it was not designed to run several vehicles of 25-50K units per year such as the Transit Connect, Ford Ranger, or future electric/hybrid car. And it was not designed to be an “overflow” plant. First, none of those vehicles are likely to be only 25-50k a year. They would all be more than 50k a year easily. Second, you do realize all those vehicles are basically just the same car with several different body styles right? Not any different than what's going on now with Focus hatchback, sedan, and tall wagon (C-Max). They will be all based on the same platform, and share similar drivetrain, and most of the interior trim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzcat Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Nope....Fusion sells in several South American markets and with the car being built in Mexico, it avoids those South American countries tarriffs against goods made in the USA. Correct... I don't see Fusion moving out of Hermosillo. And it makes sense to do the 2nd Escape plant in Cuautitlán for the same reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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