Ford Motor Co. is adjusting production of the Bronco SUV at its Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan, and is temporarily reassigning 400 workers to nearby facilities, Ford spokesman Lars Webborg confirmed in an email to Automotive Dive.
The production adjustments will serve to further balance inventories of 2024 Bronco models as the plant prepares for the start of production of 2025 models early next year, Weborg said. The Michigan assembly plant also produces the Ranger pickup.
“We are encouraged by the momentum late in the year which, along with this production adjustment, should further balance model year 24 vehicle inventory as we head toward the launch of model year 25,” the company wrote in an email. declaration.
According to the company’s website, Ford’s Michigan assembly plant employs approximately 5,900 workers. The reallocations impact approximately 6% of the plant’s workforce.
The 400 workers will be offered short-term positions at Ford’s Dearborn Engine Plant and Monroe Packaging Center in Monroe, Michigan. However, these reassignment choices are voluntary, Weborg said.
Sales of the full-size Bronco have declined this year. Ford reported sales of 26,796 units in the third quarter, an 18.5% decline from the same period a year ago. For the first nine months of 2023, Bronco sales fell 15.9% year-over-year to 76,948 vehicles. In contrast, Ranger sales increased 110% year over year in the third quarter to 15,504 units.
The production changes do not include the smaller Bronco Sport models, which are assembled at Ford’s Hermosillo stamping and assembly plant in Mexico.
Ford also plans a two-week downtime in the coming weeks to prepare the plant to begin production of new 2025 Bronco models in January, Weborg said.