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Strong Customer Demand for Ford-Brand SUVs Drives Reduction of Summer Vacation Shutdown at SUV Plants
In response to strong customer demand, Ford is building its most popular SUVs an extra week this summer, making 22,000 extra SUVs for customers
Ford is shortening its traditional two-week summer shutdown to one week in its SUV plants in Louisville, Chicago and Oakville, Ontario
DEARBORN, Mich., June 17, 2016 – Ford-brand SUVs are off to their best sales start in company history in the first five months of the year, prompting the company to build nearly 22,000 extra SUVs this summer.
“Strong customer demand for our SUVs means we will operate some of our North American plants during the traditional two-week summer shutdown,” said Gary Johnson, Ford vice president, North American Manufacturing. “Our SUV assembly plants will continue to build vehicles to make sure we have enough of our popular SUVs to meet customer demand.”
Ford SUVs sales total 325,475 through May of this year, a 9 percent increase versus the same time period last year. Ford has delivered sales gains across its entire SUV product portfolio including Escape, Edge, Explorer, Flex and Expedition.
Louisville Assembly Plant, Chicago Assembly Plant and Oakville Assembly Plant and their supporting stamping facilities will shut down only the week of July 4 for building maintenance and machine retooling, instead of the traditional two-week summer vacation shutdown.
In addition to the SUV plants, Kentucky Truck will have a shortened summer shutdown as workers there prepare for the upcoming launch of the all-new Super Duty truck later this year. The remainder of Ford’s North American manufacturing facilities shut down for two weeks for regularly scheduled building maintenance and machine retooling.
This is the fourth consecutive year Ford has shortened its summer shutdown at one or more manufacturing facilities due to high customer demand for its products.
The increased production was included in the second quarter production guidance that Ford provided on April 28, 2016.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services. The company does that through three customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough electric vehicles along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs. Additionally, Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 174,000 people worldwide. More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com.