Does Ford make their own axles?
Ford does not make all of its axles in-house. The company designs some axle assemblies itself but relies on a broad network of suppliers to manufacture many axles for its vehicles.
Across its lineup—from the F-Series pickups to its performance cars and growing electric-vehicle fleet—Ford blends internal engineering with external manufacturing partners. This article explains how Ford sources and sometimes builds axles, and what that means for durability, pricing, and performance.
In-house axle capabilities
Ford maintains some axle-related manufacturing and assembly capabilities at its own facilities, primarily for core platforms and critical components. These in-house efforts tend to focus on key trucks and performance applications where the company wants tight control over engineering and integration.
- Design work and limited assembly of axle components for select core platforms.
- Development of specialized axle solutions for performance-oriented models.
- Integration work on driveline components within Ford’s internal teams, especially for new platforms and technologies.
Overall, Ford’s in-house axle work is targeted and platform-specific, while broader axle production often involves external partners to meet volume and regional demand.
In-house vs. supplier balance
Ford’s approach balances internal capabilities with external manufacturing. This mix helps Ford scale production globally, control core engineering, and leverage the strengths of specialized axle suppliers for wide geographic reach and cost efficiency.
Key supplier relationships and why
Ford works with several long-standing axle and driveline suppliers to meet volume, cost, and performance requirements. The most prominent names that have historically supplied Ford axles and driveline components include:
- Dana Incorporated (Spicer): A major supplier of axles, drivelines, and related components across multiple Ford programs.
- BorgWarner: Provides driveline components and, in some programs, e-drive and axle-related systems.
- Eaton: Supplies differential and related driveline components for various Ford vehicles.
- Other contract manufacturers and specialty suppliers: Ford sources additional axle components through a broad global network to meet regional demand and model-specific needs.
Ford’s reliance on multiple suppliers supports high-volume production, competitive pricing, and regional supply resilience, though it can mean that some parts availability depends on third-party networks in certain markets.
Axles in Ford's electric and future drivetrains
As Ford expands its electrified lineup, e-axle technology—where the motor, axle, and differential are integrated into a single module—becomes a growing area of focus. Ford develops and integrates e-drive units with support from internal teams and external suppliers to optimize packaging, efficiency, and torque delivery for its electric vehicles.
- Electric-drive axles (e-axles) that combine motor, gearbox, and differential in a compact unit.
- Continued collaboration with suppliers to evolve e-drive technology while expanding Ford’s in-house capabilities.
- Application across Ford’s EVs and plug-in hybrids to improve efficiency and performance.
In this evolving space, Ford aims to maintain a flexible supply chain that supports both internal innovation and external partnerships, ensuring reliability as electrification scales up across its vehicle lineup.
What this means for customers
For consumers, Ford’s mixed axle strategy can translate to strong overall reliability and access to a wide service network due to the broad supplier ecosystem. It also enables Ford to manage costs and production scale across regions. However, parts sourcing and availability may occasionally vary by region or model, depending on supplier agreements and production schedules.
Summary
Ford’s axle strategy combines in-house engineering for select platforms with a robust network of external suppliers for broader production. This approach supports scale, cost efficiency, and ongoing electrification efforts, while ensuring Ford can deliver a diverse lineup with reliable drivetrains. The result is a pragmatic mix: Ford controls core design where it matters most, and leans on specialized manufacturers to meet global demand and evolving technology.
