Update: Ford to Restart Truck Production
Ford will resume assembly of the top-selling F-150 pickup Friday following a shutdown that followed a structure fire at a key parts supplier.


A fire at a Michigan parts supplier cost Ford Motor Co. a month of downtime on its F-150 (pictured) and Super Duty pickup assembly lines. Photo courtesy Ford Motor Co.
DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Motor Co. will resume production of its F-150 in Michigan on Friday and Super Duty trucks in Kentucky on Monday, following a week of downtime that resulted from a fire at the factory of parts supplier Meridian Magnesium Products of America in Eaton Rapids, Mich.
The production outage appears to have minimal impact on the orders or delivery of trucks to commercial and other fleet users, said Joe Hinrichs, Ford’s president of global operations, during a media conference call yesterday.
“We’ve been contacting our largest commercial buyers,” Hinrichs said. ”We’re at a good time of the year for that business, so we don’t think there will be any substantial impact on those customers.”
Ford closed the order bank for its 2018 F-150 and Super Duty models on April 26. Hinrichs said the company has “ample supply” of the trucks with 84 days of F-Series inventory.
Ford, General Motors, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and BMW source components from the Meridian plant, which sustained severe structural damage during the May 2 blaze. The plant supplies front-end bolsters for Super Duty trucks that sit behind the grille, among other parts.
When contacted, officials with GM and FCA said they would provide an update shortly.
Following the fire, Ford team members entered the factory and began extracting 19 die machines that are used to inject molds to form the parts. The machines were inspected, repaired, and moved to other plants, including one to a Meridian facility in Nottingham, United Kingdom. Because of the size of the machines — one weighs about 87,000 pounds — Ford contracted a Russian Antonov cargo aircraft to carry it.
Production of parts has also restarted at Meridian’s Eaton Rapids plant.
More Showroom

Dealers a Little Down
A third-quarter Cox Automotive survey finds them in a mixed mood, bummed by fallen customer traffic but encouraged by better profits, costs and EV interest.
Read More →
European EV Sales Skyrocket
The EV market on the continent held strong in July with almost 25% of new-car sales being fully electric units, a stark contrast to the U.S., where EV sales declined about 42%.
Read More →
Mitsubishi Unveils U.S. Plan
The automaker announced a strategy that includes an expanded lineup and dealership presence, along with more ‘rugged’ and electric models.
Read More →
Used Lots Getting the Business
Many consumers are seeking out the units to save money, and the demand – higher in July than normal – is keeping supply limited and prices up.
Read More →
Used Market Stabilizes
The Carfax Used Car Index noted a major drop in used-vehicle price increases in July after several months of hikes.
Read More →
California Hybrids Reach State Record
The Golden State still leads the country in electric-vehicle registrations, but much like the rest of the U.S. its hybrid market share is up while full electrics stabilize after a dramatic first-quarter dip.
Read More →
My Mercedes in the U.S.
The German brand debuted its studio dealership concept for the first time in the states in Los Angeles, tapping Americans’ penchant for creative distinctions.
Read More →
Used Sales Hit Summer Drag
The vacation season, combined with high prices, has dented deliveries and added to inventories, though supply is still slim enough to keep listings elevated.
Read More →
California Launches EV Rebate Program
Participating automakers are matching the state's $13.5 million investment in new electric-vehicle rebates scheduled to take effect later this summer.
Read More →
OEM Poll Sees Industry Evolution
Kerrigan Advisors’ survey of automakers finds that tariffs, technology, network tightening and other factors are poised to reshape auto retail.
Read More →