Ford Boosts Ranger Production in Mich.
Ford will invest $1.2 billion in three Michigan facilities to support production of the Bronco and Ranger, build an advanced data center, and add jobs for autonomous and electrified vehicles, the company announced.

Photo courtesy of Ford.

Photo courtesy of Ford.
Ford will invest $1.2 billion in three Michigan facilities to support production of the Bronco and Ranger, build an advanced data center, and add jobs for autonomous and electrified vehicles, the company announced. About $350 million of that is new investment.
Ford will invest $850 million in the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne to retool the plant to build the Ranger mid-size pickup and Bronco SUV. Ford will begin building the Ranger at the end of 2018 and the Bronco in 2020. The plant now builds the Focus and C-Max.
Ford will begin transforming the plant in May of 2018. The plant will be shut down for four weeks to remove and reinstall tooling needed to build the Ranger and Bronco.
Ford will also invest $150 million in the Romeo Engine Plant to expand capacity to support the Ranger and Bronco. The plant produces 6.2L V-8 engines for Super Duty trucks and the E-450 cutaway van.
Ford is also investing $200 million to develop an advanced data center at the Flat Rock Assembly Plant to support the company's expansion to an auto and mobility company. It would be the second Ford data center in Michigan. Ford has already announced it will invest $700 million in the Flat Rock plant and add 700 jobs. The plant now builds the Mustang and Lincoln Continental.
More Operations

Managing Fleet Costs in an Era of Permanent Volatility
Fleet operating costs have risen more than 20% since 2020, raising a key question: When does extending a vehicle's service life stop making financial sense?
Read More →
The Next Evolution of Fleet Management: Autonomous Operations
This opening keynote session at the Fleet Forward Conference highlights the future of autonomous driving for fleets.
Read More →
How to Reduce the Total Cost of Risk From Catalytic Converter Theft
A stolen catalytic converter can cost fleets far more in downtime and lost productivity than in repairs. A total-cost-of-risk approach can help fleet managers quantify their exposure and prioritize theft prevention.
Read More →
Personal-Use Charges Rise as Vehicle Values Fall | AF News Recap
Personal-use charges are climbing, wholesale used-vehicle values are declining, and commercial fleet sales growth is slowing. This week, we're breaking down the latest fleet data, plus how Element Fleet Management is helping Waymo prepare for its first Canadian robotaxi market.
Read More →
Here's When You Should Make an Exception to Fleet Policy
Fleet policies are designed to create consistency, but not every driver or situation fits neatly within standard rules.
Read More →
AI-Native or AI-Acquired: What Should Fleet Managers Look for in an AI Platform?
Six questions can help fleet managers look beyond AI marketing claims to evaluate integration, data access, and real-world operational performance.
Read More →
A buyer's guide to fleet management software in 2027
Buying fleet management software in 2027 means looking beyond features and price. As fleet operations, technology and expectations evolve, this guide explores what today’s fleet professionals should consider when choosing a system that can deliver value now and adapt to what comes next.
Read More →
What Will Shape the Next Era of Fleet Management?
EVs, AI, and autonomous vehicles are reshaping fleet management. Discover what’s ahead—and how fleet leaders can prepare for the next era.
Read More →
How Fleets Can Recruit and Train Veterans for Technician Roles
Here's how the technician shortage has affected uptime for fleets, and what to do about it.
Read More →
Avis Budget Group Deploys Neology Toll Management Technology Across Major Brands
Neology’s neoFleet platform will manage toll transactions and toll-authority operations for vehicles across Avis, Budget, Payless, Budget Truck and Zipcar.
Read More →
