Celebrating the start of production for the Fiesta, which starts arriving in North American dealerships this summer, were Mexico’s President Felipe Calderón Hinojosa and the Governor of State of Mexico Enrique Peña Nieto.
“Small cars are the fastest-growing product segment around the world, and Ford is answering the call with fun-to-drive new cars such as Fiesta, Fusion and the new Focus that is coming soon,” Jim Farley, Ford’s group VP of Canada, Mexico and South America operations and Global Marketing, said in a release.
Since 2008, Ford has invested $3 billion in its Mexican operations – including a diesel engine plant in Chihuahua, a new transmission plant in Guanajuato (a joint venture with Getrag) that will product the Fiesta’s new automatic transmission as well as the transformation and expansion at the Cuautitlan Plant.
Ford expanded the Cuautitlan plant by 25,800 square meters, building in five new lines of high-productivity presses, 270 robots and in-line measuring systems, adjustable ergonomic platforms in the upholstery area and new paint facilities that are more efficient and environmentally friendly.
“All the major subassemblies of the body and final assembly will be completed in the plant,” said Eduardo Villegas, General Manager of CSAP. “This helps ensure a quality build and even greater productivity.”
The Cuautitlan plant has produced more than 2.2 million vehicles during its 45-year history, including some iconic products. These include the Ford Mustang, LTD, Crown Victoria, Thunderbird, Taurus, Contour, Mercury Grand Marquis, Contour, Mystique and a variety of light- and medium-duty F-Series trucks.
Fiesta production at the site has created 2,000 direct jobs and at least 6,000 indirect jobs.
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