Ford Shows Off Plant Renovations

By Rachelle Bowden in News on Aug 11, 2004 3:38PM

Yesterday Ford Motor Company unveiled renovations to their Chicago plant, located on the South Side. The facility opened its doors to its suppliers, dealers, the media, and to Mayor Daley, who said its workers are "the best work force in Chicago" and said that the 2,600 workers there can "compete with everyone in America and in the world." He also said that the facility "solidifies Chicago's position as the nation's No. 1 manufacturing center.''

The Chicago plant is Ford's first flexible car manufacturing plant in North America. Currently, it produces 3 new models on one vehicle platform. Eventually another platform will be added and the plant will be capable of producing 8 different vehicle models.

The plant, which opened in 1924 to build the Model T, previously built the Taurus and Sable since their inception in 1985 and now is producing three new 2005 vehicles: The Ford Five Hundred, its twin - the Mercury Montego, and the Ford Freestyle. Look for these in your local dealership's showroom soon!