Ford Hikes SUV Production in Kentucky

Ford Motor Co. says it will shorten its usual two-week summer shutdown in July by one week for facilities in Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Mexico because of strong demand for its midsize SUV/crossovers.

The plan will squeeze nearly 9,000 additional Ford Escape and Lincoln MKC vehicles out of Ford’s final assembly plant in Louisville, Ky. Sales of those models are up 3% to 129,800 units and 10% to 11,200 units, respectively this year, according to Ford. The overall U.S. passenger vehicle market shrank 2% in January-May.

The extra vehicle output will be supported by an extra week of production at seven stamping, axle, transmission and engine plants in Chicago, Michigan and Chihuahua, Mexico.