MAP March Sales
April 5, 2013
Focus sales totaled 24,929 in March, compared to 28,293 a year ago. That represents an 11.9% decline. Meanwhile, C-MAX sales were 3,769 for the month, an increase of 586 units from February 2012. C-MAX was not yet launched in March 2012. Click here for March and YTD Compact Car sales data.
MAP Quality Extends to Personalized Vehicle Options
April 5, 2013
Michigan Assembly Plant (MAP) customers are now receiving the same high quality with their personalized vehicle options that they are with their new Focus or C-MAX.
Recently launched in a special 6,000 square-foot area of the plant, the new Vehicle Personalization Center (VPC) houses five bays where MAP employees install such options as remote start systems, body fascias, keyless entry pads and bodyside graphics.
“I like it because it’s unique,” said Specialist Utility Alan Johnson, who works in the VPC. “Every car is different. It could be a remote start, keyless entry, mud flaps. You don’t know until you do the job.”
Prior to the VPC, if Focus and C-MAX customers wanted these options, they would have to find them in the aftermarket. Now, customers can order them when they order their car and have the components installed in the same plant that builds their vehicle.
“In addition to providing high-quality, optional content for the customer, the VPC also benefits the plant by providing more work and adding more revenue,” explained Daryl Sykes, MAP site manager.
Annual VPC volume is projected to be 4,500 vehicles. Keyless entry pads were expected to be the most popular option, but remote start systems have had the highest take rate so far.
MAP VPC Content
· Remote Start System
· Bodyside Graphics*
· Exterior Protection Package
o Front/Rear Splash Guards
o Rear Bumper Protector
· Body Fascia Package (body kit)*
o Front Skirt
o Rear Skirt
· Keyless Entry Pad
(*not offered on C-MAX)
MAP'S Economic Impact
March 25, 2013
A recent study by the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) examined the impact on suppliers of the $770 million investment Ford has made to convert Michigan Assembly from building trucks to being the only plant in the world to build vehicles with five powertrain systems across the Focus and C-MAX vehicle lines. This investment is core to meeting Ford’s global standard for flexible manufacturing.
When direct and indirect employment is taken into account, MAP influences nearly 24,000 jobs in Michigan and 48,000 throughout the United States. In addition, Michigan Tier 1 suppliers account for the single largest share of MAP’s total purchase value, $1.1 billion, or 34 percent of the $3.2 billion total in annual parts purchases.
Investment Brings More Work to MAP Stamping
Feb. 22, 2013
MAP Stamping’s newest facility addition - Line 5 - is in the final stages of construction and will soon begin testing parts. Line 5 is comprised of three used presses – all of which were refurbished to save money – and will produce parts for the Ford Focus and Fusion. A second new line adjacent to Line 5 is expected to be completed in August, 2013.
“The two new lines represent an investment of about $60 million, which will bring work into the facility that previously was being done by suppliers,” said Mike Duffy, MAP Stamping manager.
The investment will allow MAP Stamping to grow from four to six press lines. The facility supplies stampings and/or sub-assemblies to Ford plants in Thailand, Germany and Russia as well as Kentucky Truck, Louisville Assembly and Michigan Assembly.
Line 5 Construction Facts:
- Soil shipped offsite from excavated hole: 17,160 tons
- Concrete poured: 5,412 cubic yards
- Steel erected: 500 tons
- Sand used: 781 tons*
- Crushed concrete used: 3,109 tons*
- Suppliers involved: 25
(*used for backfill )
MAP Recycling
Feb. 11, 2013
The MAP site recycled more than 11-million pounds of material in 2012, providing substantial benefits to our natural resources and the environment. Click here for details.
MAP Product News
* C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid kicked off the year as Official Cars of the 2013 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas
* C-MAX Hybrid was one of three finalists for the North American Truck of the Year award.
* C-Max Hybrid was been named the Autobytel 2013 Alternative Fuel Car of the Year
GE to Add C-MAX Energi to Fleet
Nov. 20, 2012
GE has placed a significant order for C-MAX Energi as part of a collaboration with Ford.
Focus ST Stars at SEMA
Nov. 14, 2012
Take a look at the Focus ST as customized by several aftermarket companies for the recent Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas.
Flexibility Puts MAP on the Map
Nov. 9, 2012
Read about Michigan Assembly's history-making product portfolio.
MAP Named Plant of Year
Oct. 15, 2012
Ford Motor Company’s Michigan Assembly Plant has been named Assembly Plant of the Year by ASSEMBLY Magazine. Read more.
Ford’s New Li-Ion Batteries Reduce Use of Rare Earth Metals, Enable Superior Fuel Economy for Fusion, C-MAX Hybrids
C-MAX Hybrid Outdoes Prius v in Fuel Economy
Aug. 7, 2012
Ford's new C-MAX Hybrid - built at Michigan Assembly - has been certified at 47mpg across the board, settting a new standard for hybrids. Read more.
Focus Electric Customer Visits MAP
July 13, 2012
Illiniois residents Ty and Deb Newell completed a New York-to-Detroit journey in their new Focus Electric with a stop at Michigan Assembly on July 13. Ty, a Detroit native, was thrilled with the vehicle. "It just felt comfortable the whole way. I think it’s one of the best-performing cars I’ve driven," he said. "It’s so smooth without a transmission, without shifting, and you get full torque. I think as people find out how good of a performer electric vehicles are, they’re gonna be hoppin’ on ‘em.”
Read more about the Newell's trip and its significance in a Ford news release.
To learn about the Newell's green lifestyle - including their 100% solar energy powered home - and read a blog about their journey, click here.
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