Evidently everyone is forgetting about NAFTA signed by President George H.W. Bush in 1994. Basically making Canada- US-Mexico a trade free zone to "raise all workers up" which had the intended consequence of sending jobs to Mexico due to the fact labor was much cheaper and much lower government restrictions. The Hermosillo plant opened in 1968 eventually going from stamping to vehicle building making the Ford Escort and Mercury Tracer in 1988 ( https://corporate.ford.com/operatio...s/hermosillo-stamping-and-assembly-plant.html) so it is certainly not "new". Manufacturing isnt as much "leaving" to Mexico as the models produced in Hermosillo prior - Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion ending production in 2020 have been replaced by the Bronco Sport in 2020 and Maverick in 2021. It is a relatively small plant in terms of Ford productions - 2870 employees and 279 acres as compared to say the Kansas City Plant which employees 7250 employees and has 1269 acres. Im all for American jobs too however this isnt anything new - more American auto workers were put out of work by automation than Mexico ever has.
For me it was some of the small details. I’m not a fan of the door weatherstripping, both the material and the installation isn’t what I’m use to seeing. Another example The rear shock towers have a 2 or 2.5” are black plastic rather than a typical steel shock. It has the appearance or being a nice HD shock, but it is deceptive. Granted the shock is actually mounted inverted with the piston rod at the top. I was still not impressed with the quality. The upper and lower A arms look super light duty and well as the skid guards. Maybe that is why they need 13 bolts to secure. I would enjoy hearing from the new Bronco owners to how it compares.
The problem is, the unions, not the ability to have built this factory here. Unfortunately the unions have outgrown themselves and have done more harm than good. I have the US BMW factory about 10 miles from me and it is even more amazing, but not a union in site. It does work here, but unfortunately the legacy US auto companies are stuck with the unions and all the baggage they bring. Thus, we have this high tech factory in Mexico. Go figure.
Checked our Ford dealer in town the nearest town over. Both had a couple of Mavericks come in and they were sold immediately. Won't be hearing on my hybrid order until at least sometime in Dec at the earliest, and I'm expecting a ship date in late Jan or early Feb.
Yes built on one line with no particular mix. That is how it is done now at various assembly plants. Multiple platforms on one line.
