On September 10, 2012, Ford Motor Company has renamed and reopened the Flat Rock Assembly Plant, the new home of the 2013 Ford Fusion and Mustang. Ford is adding 1,200 jobs, a second production shift, and investing $555 million, taking full management control of the former AutoAlliance International plant.
The plant will feature a state-of-the-art body shop and an upgraded paint shop capable of producing multiple vehicles at one location. Production is expected to begin in 2013.
Flat Rock Assembly is now under the full management control of Ford. The plant continues to be owned by a joint venture that is split 50/50 between Ford and Mazda Motor Corp. Following the end of Mazda6 production last month, the plant will continue to produce the Mustang before adding Fusion next year. Flat Rock Assembly will be the U.S. producer of Fusion, employing 2,900 workers on both vehicle lines.
“By fully incorporating Flat Rock Assembly into our manufacturing system, we are able to take advantage of internal efficiencies that will streamline our ability to produce vehicles,” said Jim Tetreault, Ford vice president of North America Manufacturing. “This is critical as we increase our capacity to meet growing customer demand for our products.”
Opened in 1987 as Mazda Motor Manufacturing USA, the plant in Flat Rock first produced the Mazda MX-6. In 1992, Ford purchased a 50 percent share in the plant and it was renamed AutoAlliance International. Over the years, the plant produced the Mazda 626, Mazda6, Mercury Cougar and Ford Probe. Mustang production was shifted to the plant in 2005.
