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Where Are Ford Trucks Made?


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"Where are Ford trucks made?" It's a good question, right up there with "where do babies come from?" Only learning about the birth of a truck is a lot less awkward.

You see, when a driver wants a pickup truck very much, they go to a dealership. These dealerships get bunches and bunches of trucks at a time from the automakers who design them and put them together. Trucks are typically born at assembly plants, with each plant responsible for specific models.

Ford Motor Company Headquarters

The Ford Motor Company originated in Detroit, Michigan, where Henry Ford turned the art of mechanical tinkering into an automobile legacy.

Many of Ford's vehicles are produced in nearby Dearborn, Michigan, which has led to a long standing myth that all Fords are from Detroit. While these two cities are just a short drive from each other, Ford products are assembled around the world.

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North American Ford Assembly Plants

There are Ford assembly plants across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, as well. This includes locations in Chicago, Illinois; Kansas City, Missouri; Louisville, Kentucky; Cleveland, Ohio.

Outside of the United States, North American Ford operations include a plant in Oakville, Ontario and two stamping and assembly plants located in Sonora and Cuautitlán, Mexico.

Which American Assembly Plant Makes the Ford F-150?

The Dearborn, Wayne, and Flat Rock plants are located in Michigan. The Dearborn truck plant assembles the Ford F-150 pickup truck and the off-road Baja beast, the F-150 Raptor. Wayne produces the Ford Ranger. Flat Rock doesn't produce any trucks, but they are responsible for the Ford Mustang, Shelby GT350 & 350R, and Lincoln Continental.

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A few hours beyond the Detroit city limits, the Chicago plant is in charge of assembling Ford's police interceptor vehicles, the Explorer, and the Lincoln Navigator.

Further south, in Louisville, nearly 9,000 employees work to create the Lincoln Navigator, the Ford Expedition, and a large portion of the Ford F-series Super Duty Trucks, ranging from the F-250 to the F-550. The Escape and Lincoln Corsair are also put together here.

Technically located in Claycomo, Missouri, the Kansas City assembly plant is home to the Ford F-150 and the Transit van. This is actually the highest volume production facility for Ford, assembling over a dozen models for Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln since opening in 1951.

Cleveland, Ohio is where the mightier trucks are made, including the F-650/750 Medium Duty Trucks and Super-Duty Chassis Cab F-series trucks, including the F-350, 450 and 550, and the E-Series Cutaway van.

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What About Overseas Production?

Ford also has assembly plants located in South America, including the countries of Brazil, Argentina, and Venezuela.

In Europe, Fords are assembled in Germany and Spain. There are also several plants in China, Vietnam, India, Thailand, and Taiwan, as well as in Russia, Romania, and Turkey.

A South African truck plant assembles the Ford Ranger, which at one point was slated for production in Thailand.

While some drivers may be concerned that this means Ford isn't a truly "American" truck, remember that these hard-working vehicles are available to drivers all around the world. According to the American Made Index provide by cars.com, the 2020 Ford Ranger produced in Wayne, Michigan is the most American truck, meaning that the largest percentage of its pieces and parts are made in the United States. For those curious, the Ford F-series' nemesis, the Chevrolet Silverado, ranked number 77 on the same list.

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How Can I Tell Where My Ford Truck Was Built?

Different trucks were made in different locations during different model years, so while a 2021 model may come from one plant, that might not have always been the case.

At the start of COVID-19 pandemic, for example, several plants had to pause production, including Louisville and Dearborn. This may lead Ford to re-prioritize delegation going forward to ensure the demand of the American public is being met.

Looking at the vehicle identification number, or VIN, on your truck is a good way to find out where it came from. Depending on several factors, the production location will be coded into the VIN, so you can confirm its origins.

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Ford trucks are a Detroit tradition, but not all Ford trucks come from Detroit. While there are many assembly plants across North America, including Canada and Mexico, there are Ford truck plants located around the world. Just like the trucks themselves, Ford has become a global phenomenon.

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