Ford Begins U.S. Production of Hot-Selling Fusion

Ford Motor Co. officially launched domestic production of its popular Fusion midsize sedan in Flat Rock, Mich., late last week. The car previously was sourced solely from Ford's factory in Hermosillo, Mexico.

Ford pledged in 2011 to invest $550 million in the facility to prepare it to build the redesigned 2013 Fusion. Flat Rock also makes the Mustang sport coupe.

The expansion, which added 1,400 workers and a second shift, contributes about 100,000 units of Fusion capacity to the 250,000 units built in Hermosillo.

Demand for the new Fusion jumped 13% to 181,700 units in the first seven months of 2013, according to Autodata Inc. Ford says short supplies have hampered sales.