Ford Confirms Mexican Expansion

Days after a confidential document was leaked to the media revealing massive expansion plans in Mexico, Ford Motor Co. issues a release confirming its intent to expand in the historically low-wage country.

As part of its “Way Forward” restructuring plan, Ford says it plans upgrades to Ford Motor Co. S.A. de C.V.'s two existing assembly plants — located in the cities of Cuautitlan and Hermosillo — as well as its engine plant in Chihuahua.

Ford now builds the previous-generation F-150 and Ford Ikon in Cuautitlan, engines for several vehicles in Chihuahua, and the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr sedans in Hermosillo.

Ford says details of the upgrades will be made available “over the next several years, as the improvements take place.”

Ford says it will modernize its Mexican operations in much the same way it has modified U.S. and Canadian facilities.

The announcement to upgrade facilities in Mexico does not include plans to build a new, low-cost assembly plant in the country, Ford says, as the leaked document suggests.