According to a press release, Raj Nair, Ford’s Executive VP and President of the North American division, said the Louisville, Kentucky assembly plant that produces the Ford Escape and Lincoln MKC is shortening the summer shutdown to meet strong demand from retail customers.
Due to higher demand, the company is seeking to build more than 8,500 additional vehicles at the plant. Mr. Nair stated, “It is our strongest ever retail start for Escape, with retail sales up more than 6 percent versus this time last year.”
Ford has sold 129,805 Escape vehicles through May, a 3 percent increase from the same period last year. Lincoln MKC sales totaled 11,161 in the first five months of the year, up almost 10 percent from this period last year.
The other Louisville plant has not been scheduled for a shorter maintenance shutdown. Ford employs approximately 13,000 at both plants.
The remainder of Ford assembly plants in North America will have a traditional two-week summer shutdown. At a time when there has been speculation of extended maintenance periods due to a slight overall slump in total vehicle sales compared to previous years, Ford’s announced strategy for the summer is positive news.