News that Ford is planning on moving its production of small cars like Focus and C-Max to Mexico in 2018 caused many negative comments, but the loudest and most influential was the one from, at that time, presidential candidate Donald Trump. Soon after that, thank you for that rant Mr. President, we have received confirmation for both Bronco and Ranger that will be produced in Michigan plant in which Ford made room by transferring production of its small cars to Mexico.
We are sure that you could hear campaign promises/threats (impose tariffs on vehicles made south of the border) Trump made towards Ford and its attempt to shift part of the production to Mexico. Nevertheless, Ford remained consistent to its plans even after Trump triumphed and its Ranger and Bronco models will be built in Michigan.
If you recall, thanks to this presidential campaign event, we found out for the first time an official fact regarding the much anticipated Bronco. Thanks to now Mr. President, Ford was forced to disclose info regarding the production place of the all-new Ranger and Bronco, and the fact that they will actually be built. On this topic, Ford CEO Mark Fields gave a statement ensuring everybody that everything remains unchanged and that is developing according to plan. What was even more interesting is that the automaker sent a letter to the elected President to congratulate him on his victory and after that remained in communication with his transition team.
On the opening day of the LA Auto Show’s media days, Fields stated: “We have had conversations with the transition team, I’ve sent a congratulatory letter to the president-elect and we look forward to working with the new administration and the entire newly-elected Congress.” Fields also used that opportunity to warn that small car buyers and the U.S. economy, in general, might suffer if the 35-percent tariff on made-in-Mexico vehicles threat from Mr. Trump ever gets carried out.
One more, kinda related news, is that the Ford unveiled a version of the EcoSport subcompact crossover that is due to hit the streets of US in Q1 of 2018, and that the said model will be imported from Chennai, India.
