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R11

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Haven’t seen this piece posted. Sweet pics.

https://jalopnik.com/heres-what-i-saw-at-the-2021-ford-bronco-assembly-plant-1847101344

Here's What I Saw At The 2021 Ford Bronco Assembly Plant
Ford invited me to watch workers assemble the Ford Bronco at Michigan Assembly near Detroit

Words and photos by David Tracy

Ford Bronco Behind The Scenes Tour of Bronco Production at MAP Factory 56f4e5bb200139d7159d7d7f4f065598



“Hey man, I know it’s late notice - but how does your 10am look?” a representative from Ford Motor Company texted me on Sunday night. FoMoCo wanted to show me the exciting new Ford Bronco being assembled at the Michigan Assembly plant in Wayne, Michigan. I wasn’t about to miss out.

I entered the north entrance of the former Ford C-Max and Ford Focus plant, and watched as the Bronco and its platform mate, the Ranger, slowly skated along the enormous factory’s moving floor. The press event was informal and small; Ford just wanted a few journalists to see that the exciting new Bronco was finally rolling off the line, as the brand planned to announce the start of production the following morning (today).

It was awesome. Assembly plants are magical places, filled with diverse workforces, incredibly specialized tools, strictly-followed (and fascinating) processes, and an unbelievable number of cars and car parts that are all in precise motion, ultimately heading towards the exit.

Here’s a look at what I saw during my short visit. These freshly-painted body shells are beautiful. I love that specialized jig that holds the gas filler door in the driver’s window opening:

Ford Bronco Behind The Scenes Tour of Bronco Production at MAP Factory 22a0f02c0631df43937f384e99b8c57d


Ford Bronco Behind The Scenes Tour of Bronco Production at MAP Factory 973834ee6a3997670eed3d5d3544d2ef


Ford Bronco Behind The Scenes Tour of Bronco Production at MAP Factory 973834ee6a3997670eed3d5d3544d2ef




The bodies — each mounted on large longitudinal stand-in frames — drop down via an elevator, then slide forward, and then progress laterally in a big line of bodies.

Ford Bronco Behind The Scenes Tour of Bronco Production at MAP Factory 8c3cd1c98b45d8696349306e4a24b048




Here are some Broncos undergoing what appeared to be some sort of electrical systems test. I watched as techs interacted with a screen while windows, lights and wipers activated.

Ford Bronco Behind The Scenes Tour of Bronco Production at MAP Factory cdd04f5b2e766e68f0f3e5a1b33bf6c1




This blue Bronco was undergoing some sort of four-wheel dynamometer test, presumably to test the powertrain and drivetrain:

Ford Bronco Behind The Scenes Tour of Bronco Production at MAP Factory cad427ee002206ca8e3ab9679fdea583




Doors, held by special orange rigging, marched along the elevated catwalk:

Ford Bronco Behind The Scenes Tour of Bronco Production at MAP Factory cccaa4ecdd75f6b37525eb07a527576b




Here’s an operator holding what looks like a calibrated torque wrench meant to precisely snug down threaded fasteners:

Ford Bronco Behind The Scenes Tour of Bronco Production at MAP Factory 7647e6097464bac9f2b0fc31f4f379de




Note the fender protector that allows for assembly while keeping the bodywork in tip-top shape:

Ford Bronco Behind The Scenes Tour of Bronco Production at MAP Factory 76cf22231700cbadf0d64c71f4ac1e78




A conveyor belt brought this seat to its vehicle at precisely the right time. Modern manufacturing plants rarely have stockpiles of parts sitting at each station. The components arrive when they’re needed.

Ford Bronco Behind The Scenes Tour of Bronco Production at MAP Factory 816d1b238aa3db06b7fda2d01007181f




Here’s a plant employee, Kirt, who owns roughly a dozen old Ford Broncos, and who — of course — has a new one on order. Ford made him available to journalists as a way to highlight that employees “walk the walk” and are passionate about the products they build. It’s a classic PR move, but I’m glad I got to talk with him. I could tell immediately that Kirt is a wrenching machine, and as one myself (no doubt much less skilled than Kirt), I’ve got respect for his ability to keep so many old Broncos on the road.

Ford Bronco Behind The Scenes Tour of Bronco Production at MAP Factory 4e6958515405573af55b89e362fb1405




Here are some Broncos going through the final inspection station:

Ford Bronco Behind The Scenes Tour of Bronco Production at MAP Factory b0fe4e7826fda6e5849e3f2f26df8f89




And here are some completed builds. The two door looks amazing:

Ford Bronco Behind The Scenes Tour of Bronco Production at MAP Factory bd1619f9d12256dff6c99d0ed1326e12




And here are a few other random shots from my brief, but fun plant tour:

Ford Bronco Behind The Scenes Tour of Bronco Production at MAP Factory 35a64607472498b10e3c9ed25bef915d


Ford Bronco Behind The Scenes Tour of Bronco Production at MAP Factory 5188372f0d0e83326d2d8828fcecf5c6


Ford Bronco Behind The Scenes Tour of Bronco Production at MAP Factory 60f54b595d4597114dbfbc851a895d11


Ford Bronco Behind The Scenes Tour of Bronco Production at MAP Factory a98a33945d627f4971eaa506d8727fa1


Ford Bronco Behind The Scenes Tour of Bronco Production at MAP Factory 3df1c5d8fa52195e812d9e5e05744748



I’ll be driving the Bronco later this month. I’m beyond excited. The only time I’ve been this amped about driving a vehicle for the first time was before reviewing the 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL, and I helped engineer that thing.
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AKBronc49

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Some pretty cool photos! Just gets me more amp'd!
 

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R11

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R11

R11

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Interesting "will be driving later this month" seems reviews are right around the corner...
Media embargo will definitely be lifted soon. I recall it was connected to the OKTB, which makes sense.
 

John Auer

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yes - that’s because MIC tops are carbonized gray!
I thought they were more black than gray. I've yet to see the full size Bronco in person. Ford will be visiting my dealer this Friday morning. I'm not sure which vehicle they'll be bringing, but it wouldn't surprise me if they brought a soft top due to the hard top shortage. Thanks!
 

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I thought they were more black than gray. I've yet to see the full size Bronco in person. Ford will be visiting my dealer this Friday morning. I'm not sure which vehicle they'll be bringing, but it wouldn't surprise me if they brought a soft top due to the hard top shortage. Thanks!
You're correct John. The lighting plays tricks with the colors.
 

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Panmort

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Same! Except without sas. And soft top

I keep saying I prefer the wildtrak grill. But then I see photos like this, and my worries disappear. That thing is gorgeous
I wasn't sure how I felt about the grill, either. But seeing it here I like it.
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