Ford closing Hermosillo plant for January
Automotive News is reporting that big inventories of current-generation Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ models will lead to the closure of Ford's Hermosillo plant in Mexico for the entire month of January. The Automotive News Data Center quotes inventory levels of the Ford Fusion at 120 days, while the MKZ is at a very high 229 days. The Blue Oval is allegedly closing the plant even though the launch of the new 2010 Fusion, Milan and MKZ begins in December. Ford hasn't commented about plans to shutter the site for a month, but has stated that the launch is running on schedule and the refreshed triplets should hit dealer showrooms by the end of the first quarter. Ford analyst George Pipas has also stated that the automaker's capacity has to be in line with demand better in the fourth quarter and beyond, so expect plenty of the automaker's remaining plants to experience downtime in the near future.
[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SWC1021 6:15PM (11/07/2008)
I work for a major automotive leasing company and we have been told by Ford that the 2010 Fusion/Milan/MKZ do not go into production until 2/4/09 with the first vehicles arriving in early April.
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Torrent 6:48PM (11/07/2008)
Not a huge surprise. The current Milan and Fusion still look moderately fresh, so there's definitely no rush.
Flashpoint 10:07AM (11/08/2008)
Working with/investing in the BIG 3 auto companies is how Barack Obama can create and sustain jobs IN AMERICA.
Some people call my ideas protectionism/socialist but I don't care.
DO WHAT YOU GOTTA DO BAMA !
audi man 7:30PM (11/07/2008)
Is the new Fusion based on the new Mazda 6 platform? Is it as big and do they share the same engines?
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bh 7:53AM (11/08/2008)
My understanding is it's just a restyled version of the original Fusion.
Joe 9:29AM (11/09/2008)
...which is based on the Mazda 6 platform.
Yes, the new Mazda 6 is an evolution of the old Mazda 6 platform, and this is an evolution of the old Fusion platform.
They will share the 2.5L 4-cylinder, but the Mazda gets the 3.7L as its V6, while the Fusion gets a highly uprated version of the venerable 3.0L Duratec, and the addition of the 3.5L in the high end models.
From what I've heard, the 3.7L in the Mazda is a Mazda design, not based on the Duratec 3.5L.
Brn 9:37AM (11/10/2008)
Joe, that's the first I've heard about the 3.7L being a Mazda design. I'd be surprised if that were true. Do you have any sources?
Trent 6:56PM (11/07/2008)
I just ordered my car last week and I was told we would not get it until April. I guess I will be sticking with the 2008 Taurus Limited for a little longer.
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Joe 8:32PM (11/07/2008)
Nice design.
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tekd 2:42AM (11/08/2008)
The MKZ is at 229 days!? I've really never seen an average that high before...that means the average car sits around for a good 8 months before being bought.
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htnelson 12:44PM (11/08/2008)
But, but, but I thought Ford was an American auto manufacturer now you tell me it is a Mexican one.
Yesterday some un-american idiot tried to tell me the Hondas, Toyotas, Subarus and Hyundais were built in the US. I set him straight fast.
Now I am so confused.
Are you telling me that if I purchase a Honda Accord I am supporting American workers but if I purchase a Ford Fusion I am supporting Mexican workers?
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Joe 9:29AM (11/09/2008)
Except that all purchases of foreign (at least Japanese) cars cause that profit to be reinvested in a foreign company, as opposed to an American company. Because of the protectionist Japanese trade and company ownership policies, a Japanese company can not be wholly owned by an American company, thus, Ford only owns ~35% of Mazda. Honda and Toyota are public Japanese companies, that the profit they make on your CamCord goes right back into the Japanese economy, NOT the American economy.
Besides that, and I'm not pro-union, the American factories of Japanese car manufacturers are NOT unionized, and the employees make a much lower wage than those that work in Ford/Chrysler/GM factories. In addition, the only reason your CamCord is made in the US is because for those Japanese companies, it's cheaper to make the car here and sell it here, than it is to make it there, ship it, and sell it here. It's not about America to them, it's about money, same as it is for the Big Three here.
Jay 5:44PM (12/20/2008)
Can someone please state authoritatively whether the 2010 Fusion Hybrid will be manufactured in the Hermasillo, Mexico plant or one of the re-tooled USA plants? Thanks. I will definitely buy one if it will be made in USA, but only if. Shouldn't this be a condition of the bailout rather than trying to stick it to American workers?
JohnAngelo 4:32PM (11/08/2008)
Mexico is part of the US now, you know.
Supporting Mexican workers is supporting US workers.
C'mon down to SoCal and enjoy Mexican life.
NAFTA Not Always Favors the Americans
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Rodrigo 11:19AM (11/10/2008)
"Mexico is part of the US now, you know. "
What kind of freaking idiot are you ???
tano 2:58AM (12/29/2008)
I live in Hermosillo, Sonora Mexico, we have a ford assembly plant that makes the fusion and other models, Today I saw the 2010 new ford fusion driving around our streets without any cover ups.