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A team of line employees inspect vehicles as they come off the line for defects. The cars are started and all systems are cycled through. Any defects are flagged for repair.
Late last year it looked like the Big Three were circling the drain of automaker history. But while GM is trying to sprint through bankruptcy while bringing new models and cars to market, and Chrysler is hoping the Italians can finally make a high-quality mass-produced car, Ford has been quickly rolling out it's updated line of competitive, updated fuel efficient cars. Among the lineup of cars designed to compete with the auto transplants are the Euro Focus, the Transit Connect, the Fiesta, the Fusion and the Taurus. And unlike the other two American car companies, Ford went through many of the same economic and design challenges several years back. The result? A solvent, nimble company that's well positioned to launch competitive and appealing cars at a time when the auto industry is struggling to get buyers into showrooms, without having to depend on federal bailouts to keep the lights on.
Part of that strategy is Ford's flagship sedan, the Taurus. First launched in 1985, the Taurus redefined the extremely competitive mid-sized sedan market. Taurus hasn't always held the top slot in that segment, though. "We reinvented the sedan in the 1980's" says Wes Shepherd, VP of Public Relations. "But we let it languish. Starting next year, we're back in the car business. Starting with the Fusion, which is nipping at the heels of Honda and Toyota, we're back in that segment." And if the styling, features and production methods used to produce the Taurus on Chicago's South side are any indication, Ford really does seem poised to capture even more market share from the competition than it has been of late.
Chicagoist took a nearly unprecedented behind the scenes look at production of the 2010 Taurus at the Chicago Assembly Plant on 126th Street and Torrence. It's a rare look inside a well-known car that's made right here in Chicago.
Ed. note: For a more in-depth look at both the Ford Taurus and the Lincoln MKS and how the production line works, check out the Kevin's full photo set here.
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That Transit Connect page looks like something Volkswagen would create. (And why isn't Transit Connect among the list of vehicles on the main site? Weird.)
Im guessing because its intended for commercial use
I had a tour of this plant a few years back (during the Ford Five Hundred years) and it was an awesome experience. We were forbidden from taking photos but luckily we had driven a Ford vehicle to the tour because the nearby parking lot is reserved for Fords only.
While a full size Taurus is not on my list I'm very interested in the Euro Focus (wagon or five door version PLEASE) and Fiesta. Keep doing what you're doing Ford.
Forgot to ask: Why the City of Chicago is still buying Crown Vics for fleet cars when these are made right here in Chicago? And the Taurus HAS to be a better car than the Chevy Impala ball of ugly you see all over the place with city plates.
Actually, arent they phasing out the Crown Vics for Chevy Tahoe SUV's?
SUVs are for police cruisers only. Fleet cars are used by all the other departments. They are just black or gray CVs with the city plates.
And the sponsor of this post....Ford!
I like Ford too though. I think their present lineup doesn't get the respect it deserves because of some rather horrendous vehicles the Big 3 put out 10-20 years ago. The quality has been going up a lot, and it's good to see an American company at least trying take the lead in tech/green/efficiency issues.