Ford Press Release - Last Ford Heritage F-150 Pick-up Rolls Off The Assembly Line

AT ONTARIO TRUCK PLANT

Ontario Truck Plant Final Assembly Line

June 28, 2004 marks the final day of production at Ford of Canada's Ontario Truck Plant
Ontario Truck employees will transfer to the adjacent Oakville Assembly Plant, Home of the Ford Freestar, or have chosen to take retirement incentive packages
Ontario Truck Plant opened in 1965 and has produced more than four million vehicles

OAKVILLE, Ontario, June 28, 2004 - A white 2004 Ford Heritage F-150 pick-up truck drove off the assembly line at the Ontario Truck Plant today marking the end of production at the 39-year-old plant. Hundreds of employees gathered around the final truck as two long-time employees, Eddy Moir and Gerald Wydsyz, both with 41 years of service, climbed in, started the engine and pulled away, ending an era.

"We have always been proud of what we build here at Ontario Truck and that tradition continues today. You can be sure that our last truck is a great truck," said Plant Manager Mike Vandelinder. "This plant has produced Canada's best-selling pick-up truck for all of its 39 years and has repeatedly been selected to build some of Ford's hottest specialty pick-ups."

The 1,300 employees at Ontario Truck are either moving to the Oakville Assembly Plant next door to build the Ford Freestar minivan, or have chosen to take an early retirement incentive package. In 2002, Ford Motor Company announced a North American restructuring plan to align manufacturing capacity with customer demand, resulting in the closure of five plants, including Ontario Truck Plant.

Opening Ceremonies at Ontario Truck Plant, March 25, 1966

Ontario Truck started production on August 26, 1965 with the 1966 Ford F-100 and moved on to produce more than four million light, medium and heavy trucks over nearly four decades. Ontario Truck was the only plant in North America chosen to build the SVT F-150 Lightning, the fastest pick-up ever, and the limited edition 2000 Harley-Davidson F-150.

"Even though the Ontario Truck Plant is closing, the efforts and accomplishments by the people here over the years are going to make a difference. We always kept the right balance between quality in our work lives and quality in the work we produce. That is why we will always be remembered as one of the best assembly plants," said Pat Carducci, plant chairperson, CAW Local 707.

Ford of Canada’s operations include a national headquarters, six regional offices, five vehicle assembly and engine manufacturing plants, two parts distribution centres, and affiliates including Ford Credit, Jaguar, Volvo, Land Rover and Hertz. Ford employs nearly 16,000 people, while an additional 21,000 are employed in 500 Ford and Ford-Lincoln dealerships across Canada. In 2003, revenues for Canadian operations were $20.8 billion, making Ford of Canada one of the country's largest privately held companies. Since 1990, Ford has invested nearly $10 billion in its Canadian operations. For more information, please visit www.ford.ca