Ford Increases Annual Production Capacity by 200K Units

Ford Increases Annual Production Capacity by 200K Units

In an effort to meet rising demand for its vehicles, Fordwill increase production capacity and produce more units this year. 

The Detroit automaker said today that it will boost straight-time capacity by 200,000 units and will add 40,000 units by scaling back its typical two-week summer shutdown to just one.

“To meet surging customer demand for our top-selling cars, utilities and trucks, we are continuing to run our North American facilities at full manned capacity, and we will add 200,000 units of annual straight-time capacity this year,” said Jim Tetreault, vice president of North America Manufacturing.

Last year Ford built approximately 2.8 million light vehicles in North America and Ford’s sales are up 13 percent compared to seven percent growth industry-wide.

“Approximately 75 percent of our plants are running at a three-crew, three-shift or four-crew pattern in order to ensure we’re getting more of our products into dealerships,” Tetreault said.

The increased capacity correlates to strong sales for certain vehicles, not the least of which is the brand’s F-Series pickup truck line which has jumped 19 percent this year. Meanwhile the new Fusion sedan is enjoying a 25 percent sales boost.

This is the second year in a row that Ford has increasde production in order to meet rising demand.