The following is a list of current, former, and confirmed future facilities of Ford Motor Company for manufacturing automobiles and other components. Per regulations, the factory is encoded into each vehicle's VIN as character 11 for North American models, and character 8 for European models.
The River Rouge Complex manufactured most of the components of Ford vehicles, starting with the Model T. Much of the production was devoted to compiling "knock-down kits" that were then shipped in wooden crates to Branch Assembly locations across the United States by railroad and assembled locally, using local supplies as necessary.[1] A few of the original Branch Assembly locations still remain while most have been repurposed or have been demolished and the land reused. Knock-down kits were also shipped internationally until the River Rouge approach was duplicated in Europe and Asia.
For a listing of Ford's proving grounds and test facilities see Ford Proving Grounds.
Forging of steel parts for engines, transmissions, and chassis
Originally known as Cologne Forge & Die Cast Plant. Previously known as Tekfor Cologne GmbH from 2003 to 2011, a 50/50 joint venture between Ford and Neumayer Tekfor GmbH. Bought back by Ford in 2011 and now 100% owned by Ford.
Replaced the original location at 1025 Winchester Ave. Military production (including wings for B-46 bombers) only from 1951 to 1956, when it converted to civilian production.
E (NA) or V (NA) for med. & heavy trucks & bus chassis
Integrated Air/Fuel Modules Air Induction Systems Transmission Oil Pumps HEV and PHEV Batteries Fuel Pumps Carbon Canisters Ignition Coils Transmission components for Van Dyke Transmission Plant
Located at 10300 Textile Road. Spun off as part of Visteon in 2000. Taken back by Ford in 2005 as part of Automotive Components Holdings LLC. Sold to parent Ford in 2009.
Ford 6F35/6F55 Ford HF35/HF45 transmission for hybrids & PHEVs Ford 8F57 transmission electric motors (eMotor) for hybrids & EVs electric vehicle transmissions
Located at 41111 Van Dyke Ave. Formerly known as Van Dyke Transmission Plant. Originally made suspension parts. Previously: Ford AX4N transmission Ford FN transmission
Original plant was on Rue Dubois from 1922 to 1926. Ford then moved to the Hoboken District of Antwerp in 1926 until they moved to a plant near the Bassin Canal in 1931. Replaced by the Genk plant that opened in 1964 however tractors were then made at Antwerp for some time after car & truck production ended.
Opened in 1973 as Wiri Assembly (also included transmission & chassis component plants), name changed in 1983 to Auckland Operations, became a joint venture with Mazda called Vehicles Assemblers of New Zealand (VANZ) in 1987, closed in 1997.
Became Motor Iberica SA after nationalization in 1954. Built Ford's Thames Trader trucks under license which were sold under the Ebro name. Later taken over in stages by Nissan from 1979 to 1987 when it became Nissan Motor Ibérica SA. Under Nissan, the Ford Maverick SUV was built in the Barcelona plant under an OEM agreement.
ZF Batavia joint venture was created in 1999 and was 49% owned by Ford and 51% owned by ZF Friedrichshafen. Jointly developed CVT production began in late 2003. Ford bought out ZF in 2005 and the plant became Batavia Transmissions LLC, owned 100% by Ford.
Originally a JaguarSport plant. After XJ220 production ended, plant was transferred to Aston Martin to build the DB7. Closed with the end of DB7 production.
Joint venture: Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., Ltd. (50%). Ford Motor Company (35%), Mazda Motor Company (15%). Was divided in 2012 into Changan Ford and Changan Mazda. Changan Mazda took the Nanjing plant while Changan Ford kept the other plants.
Joint venture: Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., Ltd. (50%), Ford Motor Company (25%), Mazda Motor Company (25%). Ford sold its stake to Mazda in 2019. Now known as Changan Mazda Engine Co., Ltd. owned 50% by Mazda & 50% by Changan.
Opened 1981. Sold to Nemak Aluminum (a 25/75 joint venture between Ford & Nemak, which is 75.24% owned by Alfa Group of Mexico) in 2001; shuttered in 2009 except for the melting operation which closed in 2012.
Located at 4000 Red Bank Road. Opened in 1950. Original Ford-O-Matic was a licensed design from the Warner Gear division of Borg-Warner. Also produced aircraft engine parts during the Korean War. Closed in 1979. Sold to Red Bank Distribution of Cincinnati in 1987. Transferred to Cincinnati Port Authority in 2006 after Cincinnati agreed not to sue the previous owner for environmental and general negligence. Redeveloped into Red Bank Village, a mixed-use commercial and office space complex, which opened in 2009 and includes a Wal-Mart.
Originally known as AMIM (Associated Motor Industries Malaysia) Holdings Sdn. Bhd. which was owned 30% by Ford from the early 1980s. Previously, Associated Motor Industries Malaysia had assembled for various automotive brands including Ford but was not owned by Ford. In 2000, Ford increased its stake to 49% and renamed the company Ford Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. The other 51% was owned by Tractors Malaysia Bhd., a subsidiary of Sime Darby Bhd.
Located at 26601 W. Huron River Drive. Opened in 1923. Also produced junction boxes for the B-24 bomber as well as lighting for military vehicles during World War II. Closed in 1950. Sold to Moynahan Bronze Company in 1950. Sold to Stearns Manufacturing in 1972. Leased in 1981 to Flat Rock Metal Inc., which later purchased the building.
Originally known as Ford Motor Company of Malaya Ltd. & subsequently as Ford Motor Company of Malaysia. Factory was originally on Anson Road, then moved to Prince Edward Road in Jan. 1930 before moving to Bukit Timah Road in April 1941. Factory wa occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945 during World War II. It was then used by British military authorities until April 1947 when it was returned to Ford. Production resumed in December 1947.
Ford first began production in South Africa in 1924 in a former wool store on Grahamstown Road in Port Elizabeth. Ford then moved to a larger location on Harrower Road in October 1930. In 1948, Ford moved again to a plant in Neave Township, Port Elizabeth. Struandale Assembly opened in 1974. Ford ended vehicle production in Port Elizabeth in December 1985, moving all vehicle production to SAMCOR's Silverton plant that had come from Sigma Motor Corp., the other partner in the SAMCOR merger.
Sold (2022). Originally a JV with 50% owned by Sollers. Restructured & renamed Sollers Ford in 2020 after Sollers increased its stake to 51% in 2019 with Ford owning 49%. Production suspended in 2022.
Ford Union was a joint venture which was 51% owned by Ford, 23% owned by distributor Lada-OMC, & 26% owned by the Belarus government. Production began in 1997.
Production began in 1925 in a former wool storage warehouse in Geelong before moving to a new plant in the Geelong suburb that later became known as Norlane. Vehicle production later moved to Broadmeadows plant that opened in 1959.
Ford Falcon/Futura/Fairmont body panels Ford Falcon Utility body panels Ford Territory body panels
Opened 1926. Previously: Ford Fairlane body panels Ford LTD body panels Ford Capri body panels Ford Cortina body panels Welded subassemblies and steel press tools
Opened in 1976. Became a joint venture with Getrag in 2001. Joint Venture: 50% Ford Motor Company / 50% Getrag Transmission. Joint venture dissolved in 2021 and this plant was kept by Getrag, which was taken over by Magna Powertrain in 2015.
Fordson tractors/tractor components Wheels for cars like Model T & Model A Locks and lock parts Radius rods Running Boards
Opened in 1920. Factory used hydroelectric power. Switched from tractors to auto parts less than 6 months after production began. Also made parts for bomber engines during World War II. Plant closed in 1950. Sold to Bendix Aviation Corporation in 1951. Bendix closed the plant in 1962 and sold it in 1963 to Ward Manufacturing Co., which made camping trailers there. In 1975, it was sold to Chem-Dyne Corp., which used it for chemical waste storage & disposal. Demolished around 1981 as part of a Federal Superfund cleanup of the site.
Model T production from 1910 to 1927. Continued to make automotive trim parts after 1927. One of the first 2 Ford plants to build the F-Series, beginning November 27, 1947 (other was Richmond, California). Ford Motor Company's third American factory. First automobile factory in history to utilize a moving assembly line (implemented October 7, 1913). Also made Sherman M4A3 tanks during World War II.
Located at 6200 West Warren Avenue at corner of Livernois. Built before Lincoln was part of Ford Motor Co. Ford kept some offices here after production ended in 1952. Sold to Detroit Edison in 1955. Eventually replaced by Wixom Assembly plant. Mostly demolished in 2002–2003.
Matford was a joint venture 60% owned by Ford and 40% owned by French automaker Mathis. Replaced by Ford's own Poissy plant after Matford was dissolved.
Closed as a factory in 2008. Now a Ford warehouse.
Coil springs, wheels, stabilizer bars, catalytic converters, headlamp housings, and bumpers. Chrome Plating (1956–1982)
Originally built by Newton Steel around 1929 and subsequently owned by Alcoa and Kelsey-Hayes Wheel Co. Bought by Ford in 1949 and opened in 1950. Spun off as part of Visteon in 2000. Taken back by Ford in 2005 as part of Automotive Components Holdings LLC. Closed in 2008. Sold to parent Ford Motor Co. in 2009. Converted into Ford River Raisin Warehouse.
Located at 235 East Main Street. Previously a gristmill purchased by Ford in 1919 that was reconfigured to make engine valves from 1920 to 1936. Replaced with a new purpose-built structure designed by Albert Kahn in 1936 which includes a waterwheel. Closed in 1981. Later used as a manufacturing plant by R&D Enterprises from 1994 to 2005 to make heat exchangers. Known today as the Water Wheel Centre, a commercial space that includes design firms and a fitness club. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.
Opened in 1982. Part of Autolatina venture with VW from 1987 to 1996. VW kept this side of the Pacheco plant when Autolatina dissolved and converted it to car production. VW has since then used this plant for Amarok pickup truck production.
1904–1910. Ford Motor Company's second American factory (first owned). Concept of a moving assembly line experimented with and developed here before being fully implemented at Highland Park plant. Birthplace of the Model T (September 27, 1908). Sold to Studebaker in 1911. Sold to 3M in 1936. Sold to Cadillac Overall Company, a work clothes supplier, in 1968. Owned by Heritage Investment Company from 1989 to 2000. Sold to the Model T Automotive Heritage Complex in April 2000. Run as a museum since July 27, 2001. Oldest car factory building on Earth open to the general public. The Piquette Avenue Plant was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002, designated as a Michigan State Historic Site in 2003, and became a National Historic Landmark in 2006. The building has also been a contributing property for the surrounding Piquette Avenue Industrial Historic District since 2004. The factory's front façade was fully restored to its 1904 appearance and revealed to the public on September 27, 2008, the 100th anniversary of the completion of the first production Model T.
Ford France including the Poissy plant and all current and upcoming French Ford models was sold to Simca in 1954 and Ford took a 15.2% stake in Simca. In 1958, Ford sold its stake in Simca to Chrysler. In 1963, Chrysler increased their stake in Simca to a controlling 64% by purchasing stock from Fiat, and they subsequently extended that holding further to 77% in 1967. In 1970, Chrysler increased its stake in Simca to 99.3% and renamed it Chrysler France. In 1978, Chrysler sold its entire European operations including Simca to PSA Peugeot-Citroën and Chrysler Europe's models were rebranded as Talbot. Talbot production at Poissy ended in 1986 and the Talbot brand was phased out. Poissy went on to produce Peugeot and Citroën models. Poissy has therefore, over the years, produced vehicles for the following brands: Ford, Simca, Chrysler, Talbot, Peugeot, Citroën, DS Automobiles, Opel, and Vauxhall. Opel and Vauxhall are included due to their takeover by PSA Group in 2017 from General Motors.
Production of civilian vehicles ended in 1940 due to World War II. The factory continued production of military trucks until 1942, then did repair work only. The factory was nationalized by the Communist Romanian government in 1948.
First plant opened in 1919 on Rua Florêncio de Abreu, in São Paulo. Moved to a larger plant in Praça da República in São Paulo in 1920. Then moved to an even larger plant on Rua Solon, in the Bom Retiro neighborhood of São Paulo in 1921. Replaced by Ipiranga plant in 1953.
Also built Volvo trucks and buses. Used to do contract assembly for other automakers including Suzuki and Daihatsu. Volvo Cars was sold to Geely Holding Group in 2010.
1924–1966. 325,482 vehicles were built. Plant was then converted into a tractor assembly plant for Ford Industrial Equipment Co. Tractor plant closed in the mid-1970's. Administration & depot building next to assembly plant was used until 1991 when depot for remote storage closed & offices moved to Glostrup. Assembly plant building stood until 2006 when it was demolished.
Factory was a joint venture between Ford UK & Ford's Thai distributor, Anglo-Thai Motors Company. Taken over by Ford in 1973 when it was renamed Ford Thailand, closed in 1976 when Ford left Thailand.
Was previously a Studebaker-Packard assembly plant. Bought by Ford in 1962 and converted into a tool & die plant. Operations transferred to Cuautitlan at the end of 1985.
Transferred to VW when Autolatina dissolved (1996)
Transmissions Axles
Bought by Ford in 1967 from IKA. Part of Autolatina venture with VW from 1987 to 1996. VW kept this plant when Autolatina dissolved. VW has since then used this plant for transmission production.
AutoNova was originally a 49/51 joint venture between Volvo & TWR. Restructured into Pininfarina Sverige AB, a new joint venture with Pininfarina to build the 2nd generation C70.
Pininfarina Sverige was a 40/60 joint venture between Volvo & Pininfarina. Sold by Ford as part of sale of Volvo Cars to Geely in 2010. Volvo bought back Pininfarina's shares in 2013 and closed the Uddevalla plant after C70 production ended later in 2013.
Assembly began in 1961 as Ford of Rhodesia. Became Willowvale Motor Industries after the Ford sale to the state-owned Industrial Development Corporation. Became Willowvale Mazda Motor Industries from 1989 to 2014. Name went back to Willowvale Motor Industries in 2015.
Opened 1992. Sold to Nemak Aluminum (a 25/75 joint venture between Ford & Nemak, which is 75.24% owned by Alfa Group of Mexico) in 2001. Subsequently produced engine blocks for GM. Production ended in September 2020.
Located at 128 Spring St. Originally owned by Ford Motor Company, it then became a Visteon Plant when Visteon was spun off in 2000, and later turned into an Automotive Components Holdings Plant in 2005. It is said that Henry Ford used to walk this factory when he acquired it in 1932. The Ypsilanti Plant was closed in 2009. Demolished in 2010. The UAW Local was Local 849.
Southeast USA headquarters and assembly operations from 1915 to 1942. Assembly ceased in 1932 but resumed in 1937. Sold to US War Dept. in 1942. Replaced by new plant in Atlanta suburb of Hapeville (Atlanta Assembly), which opened in 1947. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. Sold in 1979 and redeveloped into mixed retail/residential complex called Ford Factory Square/Ford Factory Lofts.
Assembly ceased in January 1933 but resumed in 1934. Operations moved to Lorain, Ohio. 2495 Main St. is now the Tri-Main Center. Previously made diesel engines for the Navy and Bell Aircraft Corporation, was used by Bell Aircraft to design and construct America's first jet engine warplane, and made windshield wipers for Trico Products Co. 901 Fuhmann Boulevard used as a port terminal by Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority after Ford sold the property.
Assembly stopped February 1933 but resumed in 1934. Ford continued to use 2700 Canton St. for display and storage until 1939. In 1942, sold to Peaslee-Gaulbert Corporation, which had already been using the building since 1939. Sold to Adam Hats in 1959. Redeveloped in 1997 into Adam Hats Lofts, a loft-style apartment complex. 5200 E. Grand Ave. is now a warehouse.
Replaced by Oakville Assembly. Sold to Nash Motors in 1946 which then merged with Hudson Motor Car Company to form American Motors Corporation, which then used the plant until it was closed in 1957. Converted to a mall in 1962, Shoppers World Danforth. The main building of the mall ( now a Lowe's) is still the original structure of the factory.
Sold to Gates Rubber Co. in 1945. Gates sold the building in 1995. Now used as office space. Partly used as a data center by Hosting.com, now known as Ntirety, from 2009.
Later became an auto dealership called Malone Motor Company and was St. Andrews Market, an indoor market and event space, from 2013-2015 until a partial roof collapse during a severe storm. Since 2020, being redeveloped into an apartment complex. The curved assembly line anchored into the ceiling is still intact and is being left there. Sometimes called the Ford Malone Building.
Production moved to Danforth Assembly Plant. Building roof was used as a test track for the Model T. Used by several food processing companies. Became Planters Peanuts Canada from 1948 till 1987. The building currently is used for commercial and retail space. Included on the Inventory of Heritage Properties.
Replaced with the Mahwah Assembly Plant. Added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 15, 1983. The building was torn down in 2006 and replaced with a residential development.
After assembly ended, Ford used it as a sales office, sales and service branch, and a parts depot. Ford sold the building in 1956. Now called the Ford Building, a mixed commercial/residential property.
Divested during World War II; later acquired by General Foods in 1946 (later the Houston facility for Maxwell House) until 2006 when the plant was sold to Maximus and rebranded as the Atlantic Coffee Solutions facility. Atlantic Coffee Solutions shut down the plant in 2018 when they went out of business. Leased by Elemental Processing in 2019 for hemp processing with plans to begin operations in 2020.
Vehicle production ended in December 1932. Used as a Ford parts service and automotive sales branch and for administrative purposes until 1942. Sold in 1942.
First Ford factory in the USA built outside the Detroit area. Location of first UAW strike against Ford and where the 20 millionth Ford vehicle was assembled. Last vehicle produced was a 1957 Ford Fairlane Custom 300 on December 28, 1956. 2,337,863 vehicles were produced at the Winchester Ave. plant. Replaced by Claycomo plant in 1957.
931 South Third Street then 2400 South Third Street then 1400 Southwestern Parkway then 2000 Fern Valley Rd.
Original location opened in 1913. Ford then moved in 1916 and again in 1925. First 2 plants made the Ford Model T. The third plant made the Ford Model T, Ford Model A, 1932 Ford, Ford Model 48, 1937 Ford, 1941 Ford, 1949 Ford, 1952 Ford, Ford F-Series as well as Jeeps (Ford GPW), military trucks, and V8 engines during World War II. Current location at 2000 Fern Valley Rd. first opened in 1955. The South Third Street location was sold to Reynolds Metals Company and has since been converted into residential space called Reynolds Lofts under lease from current owner, University of Louisville.
420 N. Fifth St. is now called Ford Center, an office building. Was the tallest automotive assembly plant at 10 stories. University Ave. plant in St. Paul is now called the Ford Building. After production ended, was used as a Ford sales and service center, an auto mechanics school, a warehouse, and Federal government offices. Bought by the State of Minnesota in 1952 and used by the state government until 2004.
Later used by Ford as a parts and vehicle dist. center. Used by the US Army as a warehouse during WWII. After the war, was used as a parts and vehicle dist. center by a Ford dealer, Capital City Ford of Baton Rouge. Used by Southern Service Co. to prepare Toyotas and Mazdas prior to their delivery into Midwestern markets from 1971 to 1977. Became a freight storage facility for items like coffee, twine, rubber, hardwood, burlap and cotton from 1977 to 2005. Flooded during Hurricane Katrina. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018.
Had extensive access to rail via the Rock Island railroad. Production ended with the 1932 models. The plant was converted to a Ford Regional Parts Depot (1 of 3 designated “slow-moving parts branches") and remained so until 1967, when the plant closed, and was then sold in 1968 to The Fred Jones Companies, an authorized re-manufacturer of Ford and later on, also GM Parts. It remained the headquarters for operations of Fred Jones Enterprises (a subsidiary of The Fred Jones Companies) until Hall Capital, the parent of The Fred Jones Companies, entered into a partnership with 21c Hotels to open a location in the building. The 21c Museum Hotel officially opened its hotel, restaurant and art museum in June, 2016 following an extensive remodel of the property. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.
Used as a warehouse by Western Electric Company from 1956 to 1959. It was then vacant until 1963, when it was used for manufacturing hair accessories and other plastic goods by Tip Top Plastic Products from 1963 to 1986. After being vacant again for several years, it was then used by Good and More Enterprises, a tire warehouse and retail outlet. After another period of vacancy, it was redeveloped into Tip Top Apartments, a mixed-use building with office space on the first floor and loft-style apartments on the upper levels which opened in 2005. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.
Philadelphia: 2700 N. Broad St., corner of W. Lehigh Ave. (November 1914-June 1927) then in Chester: Front Street from Fulton to Pennell streets along the Delaware River (800 W. Front St.) (March 1928-February 1961)
November 1914-June 1927 in Philadelphia then March 1928-February 1961 in Chester. Broad St. plant made equipment for US Army in WWI including helmets and machine gun trucks. Sold in 1927. Later used as a Sears warehouse and then to manufacture men's clothing by Joseph H. Cohen & Sons, which later took over Botany 500, whose suits were then also made at Broad St., giving rise to the nickname, Botany 500 Building. Cohen & Sons sold the building in 1989 which seems to be empty now. Chester plant also handled exporting to overseas plants.
Became a Ford sales, parts, and service branch until Ford sold the building in 1953. The building then went through a variety of light industrial uses before being purchased by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) in 2006. It was subsequently purchased by the University of Pittsburgh in 2018 to house the UPMC Immune Transplant and Therapy Center, a collaboration between the university and UPMC. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018.
San Francisco Plant was demolished after the 1989 earthquake. Richmond was one of the first 2 Ford plants to build the F-Series, beginning November 27, 1947 (other was Highland Park, Michigan). Richmond location is now part of Rosie the Riveter National Historical Park, Milpitas is now Great Mall of the Bay Area.
Still a Ford sales and service site through 1941. As early as 1940, the U.S. Army occupied a portion of the facility which had become known as the "Seattle General Depot". Sold to US Government in 1942 for WWII-related use. Used as a staging site for supplies headed for the Pacific Front. The U.S. Army continued to occupy the facility until 1956. In 1956, the U.S. Air Force acquired control of the property and leased the facility to the Boeing Company. A year later, in 1957, the Boeing Company purchased the property. Known as the Boeing Airplane Company Missile Production Center, the facility provided support functions for several aerospace and defense related development programs, including the organizational and management facilities for the Minuteman-1 missile program, deployed in 1960, and the Minuteman-II missile program, deployed in 1969. These nuclear missile systems, featuring solid rocket boosters (providing faster lift-offs) and the first digital flight computer, were developed in response to the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union in the 1960s and 1970s. The Boeing Aerospace Group also used the former Ford plant for several other development and manufacturing uses, such as developing aspects of the Lunar Orbiter Program, producing unstaffed spacecraft to photograph the moon in 1966–1967, the BOMARC defensive missile system, and hydrofoil boats. After 1970, Boeing phased out its operations at the former Ford plant, moving them to the Boeing Space Center in the city of Kent and the company's other Seattle plant complex. Owned by the General Services Administration since 1973, it's known as the "Federal Center South Complex", housing various government offices. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.
^Trowbridge, Alexander B. (February 1968). Overseas Business Reports, US Department of Commerce (OBR 68-3 ed.). Washington, D.C.: US Government Printing Office. p. 18.
