Editors Comment: To car guys “idle” means to slow the engine down, but not shut if off. Ford is closing the historic Cleveland Casting Plant, but chose to use the word “idle” in their press release. One can only wonder if this was a deliberate euphemism intended to mislead readers. It sure got me the first time around.
Ford Motor Company today announced that it intends to idle the Cleveland Casting Plant in 2009, as part of the company’s Way Forward plan to transform its North American automotive business. In addition, the company will defer production at Cleveland Engine #1, beginning in two weeks, for approximately 12 months.
The actions are in line with Ford’s commitment to match its manufacturing capacity with actual customer demand.
“These are difficult actions, and we’re approaching them with great sensitivity because they involve our people,†said Joe Hinrichs, Ford’s vice president of North America Manufacturing. “However, operating an efficient and competitive manufacturing business is a key to our Way Forward plan to transform our business back to sustained profitability.â€
Cleveland Casting opened in 1952 and employs 1,100 hourly and 118 salaried workers. It produces cast-iron components for engines for Ford F-Series Super Duty trucks, Ford E-Series vans and Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs.
Ford’s intention to idle Cleveland Casting is consistent with the company’s move away from in-house casting operations. The company also has announced that it will end casting production at Ford facilities in Leamington ( United Kingdom ) and Windsor, Ontario ( Canada ).
Production activities at Cleveland Engine #1 are being deferred for approximately one year to capitalize on production efficiencies at Ford’s Lima ( Ohio ) Engine Plant, where the company now can produce all its Duratec 3.5-liter engines for the Ford Taurus passenger car and Taurus X crossover, as well as other models. Previously, Cleveland Engine #1 produced the Duratec 3.0-liter engine for prior models of the Ford Five Hundred passenger car and Freestyle crossover. If demand warrants, Ford says, production activities at Cleveland Engine #1 could resume earlier than the planned 12 months.
Opened in 1951, Cleveland Engine Plant #1 currently employs 530 hourly and 47 salaried workers. When it returns to production, the plant is slated to produce the Duratec 3.5-liter engine and a variant for the Lincoln MKZ passenger car, Lincoln MKX crossover, Ford Taurus, Ford Taurus X, Ford Edge crossover and Mercury Sable passenger car. In addition, the plant will produce engines for two all-new vehicles, the Lincoln MKS passenger car and Ford Flex crossover.
Cleveland Engine Plant #2 will continue to operate as planned. Opened in 1955, it currently employs 700 hourly and 85 salaried workers. It produces two versions of 3.0-liter engines for the Ford Fusion passenger car and Ford Escape crossover, Mercury Milan passenger car and Mercury Mariner crossover, Mazda 6 passenger car and Mazda Tribute crossover, as well as for the Ford Mondeo passenger car for Europe and various Jaguar models.
i retired in 2000,after 30 yrs. working im sick to my stomach,the 1250 union personall all recive alot of money to be a union commit. man the president gets 12 hrs/7 days paycheck,hes not worth that much money.that black president that retired and he got his whole family working at fords,cousins,in-laws xtra,alot of them are lazy,alot of these mother -f____are crack heads,sorry thats the real world.the person who turned his back in emoloyment office should be fired.its all b/s
By fordr etired worker. November 13th, 2008 at 11:03 amFord has to move out of the US to suffocate the Unions when they are dead Ford will move back to the south and become the domanant force they once were.
By Grambo. August 6th, 2007 at 2:41 amThe 6.2 block is to be cast by TUPY of Brazil in CGI “compacted graphite iron” same as the 4.4l diesel engine blocks. Maybe one of their Canadian foundries.
By john. May 14th, 2007 at 1:43 pmCleveland has a small line for doing CGI but not for production at these volumes.
The Boss / hurricane motor is still to be built and preproduction prototypes are going out for testing but the block will not be cast in Cleveland. To my friends at CCP I am sorry to hear that Ford will follow the rest in the industry and farm out all casting work. I suspect the bulk of this work will go to TUPY. Another loss for Ohio.
By john. May 11th, 2007 at 12:20 pm“They’re going to end up in China. Mark my words.”
Uh, they already are, have been for a few years
http://www.ford.com.cn/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=DFY/CN
http://www.china.org.cn/english/BAT/87529.htm
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2003-10/17/content_273155.htm
By Roger Currie. May 11th, 2007 at 3:39 amOver here in oz we car guys look to the US as the greatest automobile nation ever, unique, powerful and always inspirational. This poisoning of the industry cannot be tolerated, must not be!
By Stephen Gibbon. May 11th, 2007 at 12:44 amThey’re going to end up in China. Mark my words.
By Retyler. May 10th, 2007 at 6:41 pmSame ol pile of crap, new day! Why not have these plants producing parts for cars people want. Seems like a simple concept, why doesn’t it work. Why is the top sales going to an offshore based company producing in my opinion, the same rolling heep as any other on the road, and theirs are uglier to boot! Really, what “Flare” or personality does a Toyota have over big 3? A Toyota looks no different than a Nissan, Honda, Kia……….. and so on, Mazda too! Then why are people gobbling them up? Time to go cut-throat on all vehicle segments, no just trucks and Cobra’s. Hurricane engine? That would be a great if it weren’t all a fable. Really though folks, it’s noticed moreso with car companies, but there is alot of different plants in different industries closing for the same reasons and that is the REAL core issue needing resolve.
By Josh. May 8th, 2007 at 6:44 pmWhat will happened to the rumored Hurricane motor?
By Al. May 8th, 2007 at 12:59 pmDumbasses.
Problem: Fewer people ever year are buying our cars!
Solution A: Build cars that people want to buy. Make Ford unique by offering things that no one else does.
Solution B: Keep building the same crappy cars, and shrink the company every year to “match demand”. We’ll go out of business this way, but hey, we don’t have to admit we were wrong!
Mullally says: OPTION B! That’ll be twenty million dollars please.
Remember when that “loser” Jaques Nasser was in charge and Ford was threatening GM for the top spot?
By Steve Moberley. May 8th, 2007 at 10:33 am