To ease production constraints in North America, Ford Motor Company will shift production of the Fiesta from Mexico to its Thailand plant, Detroit News reports.
Ford began making the Fiesta at the Cuautitlan plant in early 2009 and does not produce another model in this facility.
The publication cites sources familiar to the matter stating that besides Mexico, the Fiesta's production in Chennai would also move to the Thailand plant. Ford currently utilizes the Rayong plant's capacity to produce the Fiesta in hatchback and sedan styles. The Maraimalainagar plant only makes the Fiesta sedan.
Ford produces most of its new products in more than one plant as it operates globally in the busy C- and B-Segments. The Figo is an example of a Ford car having a single supply source (Chennai), as this is a product that came out before the the 'One Ford' strategy was applied globally, and is perhaps the last Ford product developed for one part of the world. That said, Ford India exports the Figo to at least 36 overseas destinations.
Ford's spokesperson refused to comment on the report but said the optimization of its global manufacturing is perennially under consideration. The Fiesta is made in seven locations around the globe. The most recent plant to begin production of the car was in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil in late March. The Fiesta is a 37 year old brand and well over 15 million copies have been manufactured over the years.
It is not clear today, which Ford model will be made in place of the Fiesta in Mexico or Chennai. The production consolidation would be in place before the arrival of the next generation Fiesta, which the report adds, would be built on a more flexible platform that's in line with Ford's strategy of cutting down on its global platforms to reduce costs.
[Source - DetroitNews.com]
