Ford hopes to resume production at Rouge on Friday
DEARBORN, Mich. (Feb. 4) — Ford Motor Co. hopes to have power restored to its Rouge factories by Friday, resuming full production after an explosion knocked out the power generators at the massive complex.
The Rouge production and assembly site in Dearborn, a suburb of Detroit, produces glass, steel, and engines for 16 of Ford’s 20 North American auto assembly plants, and builds Ford’s Mustang model car. All of Ford’s auto assembly plants are expected to return to normal production today following slowdowns at four factories, including plants in Oakville and St.Thomas, Ont.
The company said Detroit Edison will provide electricity to the facility because the power plant, which uses coal, natural gas, and blast-furnace gas to supply power, is a total loss. The power plant normally produces enough electricity to supply the residential needs of a city the size of Boston, the company said. The six-factory complex employs about 9500 workers. Rouge Steel Co. also has workers at the site.
The cause of the blast, which killed one and injured 30, is still unknown.
Last year, construction began on a new power plant scheduled to be complete in 2001.
Have your say
This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.