U.S. Ambassador Wayne Discusses Productivity and Supply Issues during Ford Plant Visit

U.S. Ambassador Wayne Discusses Productivity and Supply Issues during Ford Plant Visit

Mexico City, February 28, 2012 – U.S. Ambassador Anthony Wayne today visited the Ford Plant in Cuautitlan, Estado de Mexico, to tour the plant and discuss with Ford Mexico President Gabriel Lopez and other executives Ford’s high quality production line and use of local material.

“I was impressed to learn about Ford’s high-quality production facility and the use of local materials in the supply chain here in Mexico,” said Ambassador Wayne.  “Ford is supplying the local community with an excellent employment opportunity. It is achieving very high production quality ratings, and exports much of its Ford Fiesta production in Cuautitlan to the United States.”

Ambassador Wayne and Mr. Gabriel Lopez discussed Ford’s outlook for the automobile industry in 2012 and beyond, noting that globally the industry has rebounded nicely in the past two years, and that automobile production in Mexico is at an all-time high, with high quality of labor and suppliers resulting in Mexico being an excellent market for auto manufacturers.  The Cuautitlan plant reopened in June 2010 with all new state of art machinery to produce the Ford Fiesta, producing around 130,000 vehicles per year, at a rate of 32 Fiestas per hour, and has the capacity to increase production to up to 210,000 per year.  The Cuautitlan plant relies on local Mexican suppliers for about 30 percent of its inputs.

Over the past five years Ford has invested USD $5 billion in Mexico, another example of the commercial ties that ensure a vibrant cross-border relationship between Mexico and the United States.  Ford has been in Mexico for 85 years, employing a staff of 7,999, including 125 dealerships nationwide, four plants, and a corporate office in Santa Fe, Mexico City. This year, Ford expects to manufacture 700,000 engines, 500,000 automobiles and 300,000 transmissions in Mexico.  The Cuautitlan plant has been rated “the most modern assembly plant in Ford history.”