End of the road for Ford's Wixom plant?
With new Lincoln production going to Atlanta and Mexico, Ford's Wixom plant - the only Lincoln car production plant for decades - has little left in its future. The Ford GT is built there, but obviously that's not a long-term source of jobs, and the Thunderbird wrapped up earlier this year. So where does that leave things? In all likelihood, the plant will soon be "temporarily" closed down; a permanent closing would need to be delayed until UAW contract negotiations in 2007. With Lincoln going towards platforms shared with other Ford product, it makes little sense to keep a seperate assembly plant, especially when it's Ford's largest plant in North America. I'd like to think that Ford could reverse its direction and launch a new Mark IX and Continental on a proper RWD chassis built at Wixom (Lincoln Mark , but that doesn't look to be the future for the brand or its longtime assembly plant.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mike A 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
Not sure why they used a 1959 DeSoto convertible to illustrate this story, but ok.
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Mal Fuller 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
That got me too Mike! I sure hope that no one selecting illustrations is loopy enough to think that's a Lincoln. But hey, Virgil Exner and Grocho Marx would be proud.
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The Dude 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
It's too bad. This could have been a great place to make a volume, RWD sedan like the 427 Concept.
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steven 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
I don't a Lincoln Mark XI or Continental is necessary. Those name plates are old and over used. It's time for new names for Lincoln. Lincoln needs a serious image boost and new products.
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Tag 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
Nice location for another subdivision or mall...
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rip 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
Shame, but no surprise really, considering Lincoln hasn't made a desirable/innovative vehicle since about 1970. Its pretty amazing that they are still around considering their newest introduction is a tarted up pickup truck. Oldsmobile was doing more interesting things and they still got the axe...
Ah, why can't they figure out that they should make a big convertible that seats 4 comfortably. Something like a 300 but with a convertible top. It would put them back on the map in a heartbeat.
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Markus Fors 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
As always it's a shame when workers are laid off. There will be a few more to look for work in times when it is hard enough to make a living. But Ford knew is was comming and Bill don't have his name on the Lincoln building.
Many employees are afraid to ask questions or to take a position, even when they do not understand what the job is or what is right or wrong. People will continue to do things the wrong way, or not to do them at all. The economic loss from fear is appalling. It is necessary for better quality and productivity that people feel secure.
How to drive fear out of the workplace - so simple, but so rarely done. The very simple answer is respect. While it is simple, it is very difficult to implement. It requires managers to change and this is risky. But, once the change is made, their life becomes so much easier. Problems are solvable. Coming to work becomes fun again. The flow of ideas from all levels of the company begins and the company changes as conditions change. It survives. But it does not seem to be the case with the Fords Wixom plant.
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Markus Fors 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
As always it's a shame when workers are laid off. There will be a few more to look for work in times when it is hard enough to make a living. But Ford knew is was comming and Bill don't have his name on the Lincoln building.
Many employees are afraid to ask questions or to take a position, even when they do not understand what the job is or what is right or wrong. People will continue to do things the wrong way, or not to do them at all. The economic loss from fear is appalling. It is necessary for better quality and productivity that people feel secure.
How to drive fear out of the workplace - so simple, but so rarely done. The very simple answer is respect. While it is simple, it is very difficult to implement. It requires managers to change and this is risky. But, once the change is made, their life becomes so much easier. Problems are solvable. Coming to work becomes fun again. The flow of ideas from all levels of the company begins and the company changes as conditions change. It survives. But it does not seem to be the case with the Fords Wixom plant.
Reply
mark 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
yes another so-called "american company" that really cares about american jobs.. ha! very funny indeed.. isn't it funny that the japanese are building here and giving american's the jobs that the big 3 claim they do, but they the big 3 turn around and ship it offshore.. their actions speak louder than their PR (public relation) words..
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Mike Parris 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
...and you are showing a late fifties Chrysler product for what reason???
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JimboNC 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
Late fifties products? They all looked pretty much alike back then, fins and wild colors. Now that wouldn't happen these days. No two or three car companies would use 5-point grilles, for example. ;)
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JimboNC 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
The Webmaster's assistant said, "I'll just stick this photo in here, there's nobody still alive who would remember it."
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Bigel 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
Kind of off topic, but can someone please explain why Ford will be building the Fusion/Milan in Mexico, while the Mazda6 is being built in Michigan? Since all three share the same platform, wouldn't it make more sense to build them in the same plant? Would this have anything to do with NAFTA? Isn't CAFTA going to cause similar repercussions?
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