Rumorpile: Ford Plans On Moving Lincoln Production Away From Chicago For More Explorer Capacity

When the Lincoln Continental begins production sometime next year, it won't be at Chicago Assembly plant where the current MKS is built. Ford announced this week that it will be phasing out the MKS in 2016. This announcement came at a event where the company was promoting the increase of Ford Explorer output at Ford’s Chicago plant.

“Chicago Assembly Plant is vital to our global manufacturing footprint and will continue to manufacture the Ford Taurus, Ford Explorer and Police Interceptor vehicles even after we phase out production of the MKS in 2016. We will continue to match production to demand,” the company said in a statement.

Automotive News says this statement echoes a comment made by Ford's President of the Americas, Joe Hinrichs earlier in the week.

“When the Continental comes out next year, the Lincoln fades away.But once it fades away, we’re going to use that capacity to make more Explorers,” said Hinrichs to the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.

So where will the Continental be built? Industry sources say the Continental could be produced at Ford's Flat Rock, MI plant where the Fusion is built. The Continental uses a longer version of the Fusion's platform, so building it at Flat Rock makes sense.

A Ford spokesman decline to comment on the Contiental's production plan, saying the location would be revealed closer to the vehicle's launch next year.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)