Where is the Ford Transit factory?
The Ford Transit is not produced at a single factory. Production is spread across several plants around the world to serve different regions. The strongest-known sites include the Kansas City Assembly Plant in Missouri (USA), the Valencia plant in Valencia (Spain), and Ford Otosan facilities in the Kocaeli region of Turkey.
Global production network
Below are the major sites that historically assemble the Ford Transit for different markets.
- Kansas City Assembly Plant, Claycomo, Missouri, United States
- Ford Valencia Plant, Valencia, Spain
- Ford Otosan facilities in the Kocaeli region, Turkey
The locations above collectively support North American and European demand, with production assignments evolving over model years and regional strategy.
Regional production and model-year considerations
The exact plant contributing to a given Ford Transit specification can vary by model generation, trim, and market. Ford has structured its global network to optimize supply for North America, Europe, and other regions, sometimes sharing components and final assembly across nearby facilities.
Regional production split
In practice, North American Transit models are tied to the Kansas City site, while European-market Transits are produced primarily at the Valencia plant and through Ford Otosan operations in Turkey, with production configurations adapting over time to demand and regulatory requirements.
Summary
There isn’t a single Ford Transit factory. The vehicle is assembled at multiple plants worldwide, with key production located in the United States (Kansas City), Spain (Valencia), and Turkey (Ford Otosan facilities in the Kocaeli region). This distributed approach supports regional markets and adapts with each new generation or market shift.
Where is the new Transit built?
New Volkswagen Transporters (T7) are built in Turkey at a Ford factory in Gölcük, Kocaeli. This is a result of a partnership with Ford, which shares the platform with the new Ford Transit Custom. The move to Turkey was a strategic decision to lower production costs compared to Germany.
Where are Ford Transits manufactured?
Ford Transits are made in multiple locations, including the Kansas City Assembly Plant in Missouri and the Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake, Ohio for the North American market, and the Kocaeli plant in Gölcük, Turkey for the European and other international markets. Additionally, some Transit models, like the Transit Custom, are produced in China by Jiangling Motors.
You can watch this video to take a tour of the Ford Transit factory in Kansas City, Missouri: 14sLeisure Travel VansYouTube · Aug 9, 2018
North America
- Kansas City Assembly Plant, Missouri: Assembles a significant number of Transit vans, including the E-Transit electric version.
- Ohio Assembly Plant, Avon Lake, Ohio: Also produces various Ford Transit models.
Europe and International Markets
- Ford Otosan plant in Gölcük, Turkey: This is a primary production hub for the European and many international markets.
- Jiangling Motors plant in China: Produces some Transit models, such as the Ford Transit Custom, for markets in China and other regions.
- Nordex S.A. in Montevideo, Uruguay: Assembles Transit models for the local market.
Why is Ford discontinuing the Transit?
Ford is not discontinuing the large Transit van, but it is ending sales of the smaller Transit Connect in North America after the 2023 model year due to decreased demand and a strategic focus on reducing costs and complexity. The Transit Connect will continue to be sold in Europe. Additionally, the specialized Transit Trail package was recently discontinued because of supply chain issues and a lack of demand, though this is separate from the discontinuation of the base Transit Connect in North America.
North America discontinuation (Transit Connect)
- Declining demand: Sales for the compact van segment, including the Transit Connect, have fallen significantly, making it unprofitable for Ford to continue.
- Strategic shift: Ford is prioritizing cost-saving, efficiency, and its electric vehicle (EV) offerings as part of its global restructuring plan.
- Other manufacturers followed suit: Other companies, like Ram with the ProMaster City, have also discontinued their small vans in the U.S.
- Larger Transit remains: The larger Ford Transit van, which is built in the U.S., will continue to be sold.
Transit Trail package discontinuation
- Supply chain issues: Ongoing supply chain challenges and part availability constraints made it difficult to produce the Transit Trail package.
- Prioritizing parts: Ford decided to remove the package for the 2025 model year to prioritize delivering parts and service for vehicles that already have it.
Where are all the Ford plants located?
Ford has plants located globally, with significant operations in the United States (including Michigan, Kentucky, Missouri, and Illinois), Mexico, Canada, Spain, Turkey, and Thailand. Other countries with Ford manufacturing presence include China and India.
United States
- Michigan: Dearborn, Dearborn Truck Plant, Dearborn Diversified Manufacturing Plant, Flat Rock, Michigan Assembly Plant, Rawsonville Plant, and Romeo Engine Plant.
- Illinois: Chicago Assembly Plant.
- Kentucky: Louisville Assembly Plant (also produces Lincoln models).
- Missouri: Kansas City Assembly Plant.
- Ohio: Avon Lake, Ohio Assembly Plant and Sharonville Transmission Plant.
- Tennessee: BlueOval City.
- Other Michigan facilities: Sterling Axle Plant, Sterling Heights, and Van Dyke Transmission Plant.
International
- Mexico: Cuautitlán Izcalli (assembly) and Hermosillo (assembly).
- Canada: Ontario (assembly).
- Spain: Valencia (assembly).
- Thailand: AutoAlliance (Thailand) Co., Ltd. and Ford Thailand Manufacturing (FTM).
- Turkey: Ford Otosan Plant (Gölcük).
- China: Multiple plants in Chongqing and Hangzhou, which are part of a joint venture with Changan Ford.
- Germany: Several production and engine plants.
- Other countries: Ford also has manufacturing operations in Argentina and Brazil.
