This is just over a year after Ford had announced plans to turn the same plant into its Oakville Electric Vehicle Complex. Electric vehicle sales are not growing at the levels many manufacturers expected, and this may be a sign of things to come.
The change is also a result of strong demand for Super Duty vehicles among Ford Pro customers.
“There is durable demand for Super Duty from Ford Pro customers as spending on infrastructure and related construction activity remains high,” said Ford Pro CEO Ted Cannis. “Many retail customers have not been able to get their trucks fast enough because of our production constraints. Unlocking Super Duty volume will also support businesses and tradespeople who rely on these trucks and first responders who serve their communities.”
In total, Ford plans to invest approximately $3 billion to expand Super Duty production, including $2.3 billion to install assembly and integrated stamping operations at Oakville Assembly Complex.
“Super Duty is a vital tool for businesses and people around the world and, even with our Kentucky Truck Plant and Ohio Assembly Plant running flat out, we can’t meet the demand. This move benefits our customers and supercharges our Ford Pro commercial business,” says Jim Farley, president and CEO, Ford. “At the same time, we look forward to introducing three-row electric utility vehicles, leveraging our experience in three-row utility vehicles and our learnings as America’s No. 2 electric vehicle brand to deliver fantastic, profitable vehicles.”
Boosting Super Duty assembly will initially secure approximately 1,800 Canadian jobs at Oakville Assembly Complex, 400 more than would initially have been needed to produce the three-row EV. Additionally, Unifor-represented employees at Oakville Assembly Complex will return to work in 2026, a year earlier than previously planned.
The move to add production of up to 100,000 units of the Super Duty to Oakville expands Super Duty production across three plants in North America, including Kentucky Truck Plant and Ohio Assembly Plant.
“This investment will benefit Ford, our employees in Canada and the U.S., and especially our customers who want and need Super Duty for their lives and livelihoods,” said Kumar Galhotra, Ford’s chief operating officer. “It is fully consistent with our Ford+ plan for profitable growth, as we take steps to maximize our global manufacturing footprint, and our investments will have a fast payback.”
The increased production will also add approximately 150 jobs at Windsor Engine Complex, which will manufacture V8 engines for Super Duty.
Ford also plans to hire new employees and add overtime at U.S. component plants that support Super Duty production, including Sharonville Transmission Plant in Ohio, Rawsonville Components Plant in Michigan, and Sterling Axle Plant in Michigan.
If you include powertrain, transmission, stamping and final assembly operations, 10 U.S. plants in five states support Super Duty production, directly employing approximately 20,000 workers.
