Ford Adding Third Crew and 900 Jobs at Bronco and Ranger Plant in Wayne

Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn today announced plans to create nearly 900 new jobs as part of a new third crew at Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne to meet demand for the Bronco and Bronco Raptor and the all-new Ranger and Ranger Raptor.
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Ford truck on assembly line
Ford Motor Co. plans to create nearly 900 new jobs as part of a new third crew at Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne. // Photo courtesy of Ford

Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn today announced plans to create nearly 900 new jobs as part of a new third crew at Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne to meet demand for the Bronco and Bronco Raptor and the all-new Ranger and Ranger Raptor.

In addition to nearly 900 net new hires, the new 1,600-person third crew at Michigan Assembly Plant also will include approximately 700 employees from Ford’s Rouge Complex in Dearborn who applied for job openings.

Ford is adding the manpower this summer to support planned future volume increases for vehicle lines assembled at the plant. The all-new Ranger and Ranger Raptor are on track to launch this year.

In addition, Michigan Assembly Plant will transition to producing vehicles seven days a week versus five currently, with three crews working two shifts.

Ford also has capacity available to scale production of gas-powered and hybrid F-150 trucks based on customer demand.

Ford was America’s No. 2 best-selling electric vehicle brand in 2023, and F-150 Lightning is America’s best-selling electric truck with sales up 55 percent in 2023 and further growth forecast for 2024.

“We are taking advantage of our manufacturing flexibility to offer customers choices while balancing our growth and profitability,” says Jim Farley, president and CEO of Ford. “We see a bright future for electric vehicles for specific consumers, especially with our upcoming digitally advanced EVs and access to Tesla’s charging network beginning this quarter.”

At the same time, Ford is reducing production of the F-150 Lightning due to declining demand. Approximately 1,400 employees will be impacted as the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn transitions to one shift, effective April 1.

Roughly 700 employees will transfer to Michigan Assembly Plant and the others will be placed in roles at the Rouge Complex or other facilities in southeast Michigan, or take advantage of the Special Retirement Incentive Program agreed to in the 2023 Ford-UAW contract.

A few dozen employees could be impacted at component plants supporting F-150 Lightning production, depending on the number of employees who apply for the Special Retirement Incentive Program. Ford states it would provide placements for impacted employees within southeast Michigan.