The Henry Ford Updates Rouge Factory Tour

2269

The Henry Ford in Dearborn has re-launched its tour of the Ford Rouge Center to incorporate changes supporting the production of the 2015 F-150, which weighs up to 700 pounds less than earlier models due to an all-aluminum body.  

“The revamped tour not only allows visitors to see the finished process at the plant, but it connects them to the incredible level of research and technology that went into the new design of the innovative aluminum-bodied F-150s,” says Patricia Mooradian, president of The Henry Ford. “The tour gives our visitors context into the plant’s historical past so that they too can envision a better future.”

The new tour begins with a 13-minute film about the plant’s history, followed by a visual presentation using 3-D projection mapping and laser effects that show the F-150s design, build, test, and driving experience. Next, guests can visit an 80-foot-high observation deck to view a 10.4-acre roof garden before taking part in a 1/3-mile walking tour above the final assembly area where the Ford F-150s are made.

The factory experience itself has changed as the Rouge plant required major updates for aluminum assembly, says Mooradian, noting that more than 3,000 construction workers made the necessary changes to the plant’s stamping and body shops.

Earlier this month, Ford Motor Co. announced plans to add 1,550 workers to its Kansas City Assembly, Dearborn Stamping, Dearborn Diversified, and Sterling Axle facilities to meet growing demand for the new pickup.

For more information about the Ford Rouge Factory Tour, click here.