Where does Ford make their car parts?
Ford makes car parts around the world in a global network of Ford-owned factories and a vast web of suppliers. The company uses regional production hubs to supply assembly lines with components ranging from engines to electronics. This article explains where those parts are produced and how Ford organizes its manufacturing footprint.
In detail, Ford’s parts come from a mix of in-house facilities and a broad supplier base spread across multiple regions. The goal is to support regional demand, shorten lead times, and maintain efficiency and quality across the global lineup.
Global regional footprint
The locations and structure of Ford’s parts production reflect a regional approach. Each region combines own-plant production with external suppliers to deliver the components needed for assembly lines and service networks.
- North America — The United States, Canada, and Mexico host a network of assembly, engine, and other parts plants that feed vehicles built for the North American market, supplemented by regional suppliers.
- Europe — A cluster of plants across several countries produces vehicles and major components for European customers, including engines and stamping operations alongside final assembly.
- Asia and the Pacific — Ford operates manufacturing in China, India, and other markets to supply local demand and, where appropriate, export, often through joint ventures and regional supplier networks.
- South America — Plants in Brazil and Argentina, among others, manufacture vehicles and powertrains for the regional market, supported by regional suppliers.
- Africa — Ford maintains manufacturing and assembly capabilities in parts of the continent to deliver vehicles and components to local markets, backed by local and regional suppliers.
Across these regions, parts come from a combination of Ford’s own production lines and its global network of suppliers, reflecting a move toward regionalized production to reduce transit times and bolster resilience.
Supply chain structure and production model
Ford’s parts production combines in-house manufacturing with a vast supplier ecosystem. The following outline highlights how parts are created, tested, and moved to assembly lines worldwide.
- In-house manufacturing — Ford runs key facilities that produce major components such as engines, transmissions, body parts, and certain electronics for use in its own vehicles.
- Global supplier network — Tens of thousands of suppliers manufacture a wide range of components, from fasteners and small parts to advanced electronics and modules, often tailored to Ford specifications.
- Regional supply hubs — Parts are produced and distributed through regional hubs to feed local assembly plants quickly, supporting just-in-time manufacturing and efficient logistics.
- Quality and compliance — Ford applies global quality standards, supplier audits, and traceability protocols to ensure consistency across regions and models.
- Logistics and trade flows — Parts move via road, rail, sea, and air as needed, with logistics planning designed to minimize lead times and manage cross-border duties and tariffs.
In practice, this structure enables Ford to balance global scale with regional responsiveness, ensuring that the right parts arrive on time where they are needed.
Impact on service and spare parts availability
The global and regional manufacturing footprint helps Ford keep a steady supply of spare parts for maintenance and repair. Local production and regional distribution mean faster access to common components and better support for service centers around the world.
Summary
Ford’s car parts are produced in a global, regionalized network that blends Ford-owned manufacturing with an extensive supplier base. Regions around the world—North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Africa—host assembly, engine, and component facilities that feed vehicles and after-sales support. This approach aims to optimize lead times, improve supply resilience, and ensure consistent quality across Ford’s global lineup.
Are Ford cars 100% American made?
No, no Ford vehicle is 100% American-made because no car is, due to the complex global supply chain for parts. However, Ford assembles more vehicles in the United States than any other automaker, with nearly 80% of the vehicles it sells in the U.S. being domestically assembled.
Domestic assembly vs. 100% American-made
- Domestic assembly: Many Ford models, such as the F-150, are assembled in the United States.
- Component sourcing: Many components, however, are sourced from other countries, including Mexico and Canada, making 100% American-made a difficult and complex goal.
- Examples of non-domestic assembly: Some models, like the Ford Maverick and Bronco Sport, are assembled in Mexico.
- Design and engineering: Even if a vehicle is assembled abroad, it is still designed and engineered by Ford's American teams.
Are Ford cars built in China?
Yes, Ford manufactures vehicles in China through its joint ventures, including its plants in Chongqing, Hangzhou, and Harbin. These factories produce a variety of Ford-brand passenger cars and SUVs for the Chinese market, and some vehicles made in China are even exported to other countries, such as the Lincoln Nautilus being shipped to the United States.
- Joint ventures: To operate in China, Ford has partnered with Chinese automakers, most notably through its joint venture with Changan Automobile, called Changan Ford.
- Manufacturing locations: Ford's production base in China includes plants in Chongqing, Hangzhou, and Harbin.
- Product examples: The vehicles manufactured there include models like the Kuga (the Chinese version of the Escape SUV), the Mondeo, and specific models developed for the Chinese market like the Ford Escort.
- Export: Some vehicles produced in China, like the Lincoln Nautilus, are also exported to other markets, including the US.
Where are car parts made for Ford?
Ford's main parts suppliers, along with the parts they supply, are as follows:
- Flex-N-Gate Seeburn - Ontario, Canada: door hinges and arms.
- NHK Spring - Shiga-ken, Japan: suspension stabilizer linkages.
- U-Shin Europe - Komárom-Esztergom, Hungary: steering columns.
Are all Fords assembled in America?
No, not all Fords are made in America, but a large majority are. Ford produces many models in the U.S., including the F-150, Bronco, Mustang, and Escape. However, some Ford models are assembled in other countries, such as the Maverick, Bronco Sport, and Mustang Mach-E, which are made in Mexico, and the Edge, which is assembled in Canada.
- Assembled in the U.S.: Ford builds a large portion of its vehicles in the United States, including popular models like the F-150, Bronco, Mustang, Explorer, and Escape.
- Assembled outside the U.S.: Some Ford vehicles are assembled in plants in Mexico and Canada.
- Mexico: The Maverick, Bronco Sport, and Mustang Mach-E are manufactured in Mexico.
- Canada: The Ford Edge is produced in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.
- Global operations: Ford has manufacturing plants in various countries around the world, but the company remains a major manufacturer in the U.S.
