Ford to Consolidate Focus Output

Ford Motor Co. will consolidate production of its Focus compact car in North America, moving assembly of all Focus models to its Wayne, MI, Stamping and Assembly plant by 2006.

Currently, the 3- and 5-door Focus body styles are built at Ford's Hermosillo (Mexico) assembly plant.

Jim Padilla, Ford executive vice president and president of the Americas, says the production shift is accompanied by a 4-year, $240 million investment at Wayne to expand the body shop and install new tooling to produce all four Focus body styles. He says the consolidation should be fully implemented by 2006.

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm was on hand for the announcement and called Ford's shift of production from low-wage Mexico to the U.S. “an unusual act in this day and age.”

Ford and Michigan officials stop short of saying the Wayne investment and consolidation of Focus production will create new jobs, however. A Ford press release speaks only of “jobs retained.” Union sources also indicate uncertainty about the plan's potential for job creation.

Padilla, meanwhile, says Hermosillo is in line for “a new, larger vehicle” that will be in production “a couple of years out.” That vehicle apparently is the upcoming Futura midsize sedan.