What manufacturer makes Ford parts?
There isn’t a single manufacturer for Ford parts. Ford relies on its own production facilities plus a broad, global network of suppliers. Genuine Ford OEM parts are sold under the Motorcraft brand and are produced by Ford or by approved suppliers under contract.
To understand what that means, it helps to distinguish between Ford’s official OEM parts (Motorcraft) and aftermarket parts, and to see how components—from engines to electronics—flow through Ford’s supply chain to ensure fit, performance, and warranty.
Where Ford Parts Come From
Ford’s parts ecosystem spans in-house manufacturing and a wide roster of Tier 1 suppliers. The company partners with global suppliers to build components to Ford specifications, with Motorcraft serving as its official OEM parts line.
In-House Production and Tier 1 Suppliers
Some components are produced directly in Ford plants, while many others are manufactured by Tier 1 suppliers under contract. These suppliers deliver assemblies and subsystems that are integrated into Ford vehicles.
Motorcraft and the Official OEM Parts Brand
Genuine Ford parts are marketed under the Motorcraft name. Motorcraft parts may be produced by Ford itself or by contracted suppliers, but they are designed to meet Ford specifications and warranty requirements and are sold through Ford channels.
Key sources of Ford parts:
- Ford Motor Company's own manufacturing facilities for select components
- Authorized Tier 1 suppliers contracted by Ford to produce components and assemblies
- Joint ventures or partnerships that manufacture particular parts
- The Motorcraft brand, representing Ford's official OEM parts line
For most buyers, parts purchased from Ford dealerships or the Motorcraft catalog come with the expectation of genuine OEM quality aligned to Ford specifications.
Understanding Motorcraft
Motorcraft is Ford’s established line of official OEM parts and service items. These parts are engineered to meet Ford’s specifications and warranty requirements, and they’re sold through Ford dealers and the Motorcraft online store.
What Motorcraft Parts Mean for You
Motorcraft parts may be produced by Ford or by approved suppliers under contract. The branding guarantees alignment with Ford’s fitment data and performance standards, helping ensure compatibility with Ford vehicles.
In practice, when you buy Motorcraft parts through official channels, you’re typically getting genuine Ford OEM components designed to match your vehicle’s specifications.
How to Verify Genuine Ford OEM Parts
To help ensure you’re buying authentic Ford OEM parts, consider the following steps:
- Check the packaging and the part number against Ford's official OE cross-reference or the Motorcraft catalog.
- Purchase from authorized channels: Ford dealerships, the official Ford Parts website, or reputable retailers that clearly stock Motorcraft/OEM parts.
- Inspect branding: genuine Motorcraft parts display the Motorcraft logo and Ford insignia; be cautious of generic or aftermarket branding.
- Confirm vehicle compatibility: ensure the part matches your vehicle’s VIN and model year using Ford’s fitment data or the dealer’s database.
These steps help minimize the risk of counterfeit or aftermarket parts being sold as Ford OEM parts.
Summary
Ford parts aren’t made by a single manufacturer. The company blends in-house production with a global network of Tier 1 suppliers, and its genuine OEM parts are marketed under the Motorcraft brand. Buying through official channels and verifying part numbers and fitment helps ensure you’re getting the correct, Ford-approved components for your vehicle.
Who manufactures parts for Ford?
Motorcraft manufactures various parts for several different car companies, including Ford. In fact, Motorcraft is the official parts brand of Ford and has been since its inception in the 1950s.
Does Mazda still use Ford parts?
No, Mazda does not still use Ford parts because the two companies' partnership ended completely by 2015. Ford began selling off its shares in Mazda in 2008 after the global financial crisis, and by 2015, Mazda was fully independent again. This means that vehicles made after this period, such as the third-generation Mazda3 (2014-2018), no longer share platforms or major joint ventures with Ford.
- Partnership breakdown: The partnership between Mazda and Ford, which started in the 1970s, ended as Ford sold off its stake from 2008 to 2015.
- Independent development: With full independence, Mazda has focused on its own designs and engineering, launching its 'Kodo' design language and developing its own unique vehicles.
- Legacy models: While older models, particularly those made before 2015, did share platforms or components with Ford vehicles, modern Mazdas are built independently. For example, the NC generation of the MX-5 Miata (2006-2015) included several parts from Ford, such as a belt tensioner from a Ford Focus and a water pump from a Ford Ranger, but newer models do not.
Where are Ford vehicle parts manufactured?
Ford parts are made in a variety of locations globally, with many components manufactured in the United States and Mexico, and others sourced from countries like China, Germany, Japan, and Turkey. While some parts are made at Ford's own facilities in the US and abroad, many are produced by a network of third-party suppliers around the world.
Domestic manufacturing
- United States: Ford has numerous U.S. plants that produce parts like engines, transmissions, and other components for both domestic and international assembly.
- Michigan: Dearborn has several manufacturing plants, including for engines and transmissions.
- Ohio: The Sharonville Transmission Plant makes transmissions for several models.
- Kentucky: The Louisville Assembly Plant produces certain models, while the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville produces the F-Series Super Duty line.
- Mexico: Mexico is a key location for both assembling vehicles and producing parts.
- Canada: Parts and some assembly are also done in Canada.
International manufacturing
- China: China is a major manufacturing hub for Ford, with numerous plants and joint ventures for parts and vehicles.
- Europe: Ford has significant manufacturing operations in Europe, including Germany and Turkey, for both vehicles and parts.
- Asia: Ford has manufacturing operations in several Asian countries, such as Thailand, a joint venture with Mazda that builds certain models.
- South America: Argentina and Brazil are also home to Ford's manufacturing facilities.
Supplier network
- Ford works with a large global network of independent suppliers for a vast range of components.
- These suppliers have operations worldwide, including in countries such as Japan, Germany, Sweden, Hungary, and Colombia.
Are Motorcraft and Ford parts the same?
Motorcraft parts and "Ford" or "Genuine Ford Parts" are essentially the same, as Motorcraft is a division of Ford Motor Company that provides both Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts and high-quality aftermarket parts for Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles. The distinction often comes down to the specific part's branding, with some high-demand or specialized parts being marketed exclusively as "Ford Genuine Parts" while others are branded "Motorcraft". Both options are backed by Ford and are recommended for their quality, reliability, and fit.
Motorcraft
- A division of Ford: Created to provide both the parts that come in new vehicles (OEM) and a wider range of replacement parts.
- Premium quality: Marketed as a premium brand for replacement parts, recommended by Ford Motor Company.
- Warranty: Motorcraft parts typically come with a 24-month, unlimited mileage warranty, which can include labor for certain parts.
- Widely available: Often found in service departments and online, including a variety of consumables and filters.
Genuine Ford Parts
- OEM parts: These are the exact parts that are installed in new vehicles from the factory.
- Engineered for fit: Designed to meet Ford's exact specifications for optimal performance, reliability, and a perfect fit.
- Backed by Ford: They offer the assurance of being officially backed and endorsed by Ford.
