I attended the 2015 NAIAS as a guest of Ford. I have not received any compensation for this post. Please note that, as always, any personal opinions reflected in this post are my own.
You might recall that last week I shared a post with you about the tour I got to take of the Ford Piquette Plant. It was the first official Ford plant, the granddaddy of them all as it were.The painstaking attention to detail and care that went into the production of every vehicle at that plant is part of what led to Ford’s invention of the assembly line. I got to see a modern-day assembly line up close last week when I visited the Rouge Factory in Dearborn.
Our tour began in the Legacy Theater, where we sat through a multimedia presentation giving us a look inside the history of the plant. Henry Ford designed the original plant to take care of all production needs, including receiving raw materials to make its own parts. The plant sat on a railroad track. We next visited the Manufacturing Innovation Theater, which gives you a look at the design, build, and testing process from start to finish. Then we made our way to the plant.
On the way to the plant you get to see a view of the entire factory. If memory serves the whole factory is 1 mile by 1.5 miles wide. (Don’t quote me on that.) When you look out at the expansive plant you can’t help but notice the Living Roof, which is the world’s largest living roof.The roof is part of the eforts to make the plant green and sustainable.
Next was the walking tour of the assembly plant. The Rouge plant is where the F-150 is manufactured. The F-150 is a very popular pickup truck. And it isn’t just any pickup truck, it was voted Motor Trend’s 2015 Truck of the Year. Visitors taking the tour get to see different areas throughout the assembly process from walkways overhead the work floor. The whole assembly process is surely complicated but from my point of view it looked fluid and seamless. The people, technology and automation that are all a part of the assembly line make this possible. Beds go by. Doors go by almost as if suspended in midair. The whole process is such a cool thing to see! One completed F-150 comes off of the production line every 60 seconds. Isn’t that amazing!
At the end of the tour as you exit you go through the Legacy Gallery, which has some of Ford’s vintage classics on display.
Here are some photos from the tour.
The Ford Rouge Factory is open to the public for the exact same tour that I took, the only difference being the public is not permitted to use camera while inside the plant. The tour contained no stairs and is handicapped accessible. You can learn more on The Henry Ford website.
Have you ever taken an auto factory tour?
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That is so cool, Val. I am super jealous and would love to tour the Ford factory someday!
Wow, this sounds like such a fun tour. Thanks so much for sharing… Will have to see if I can check it out. 🙂
That’s so awesome! I actually got to go to the Hummer plant back when they were making REAL Hummers. It was totally bad ass.
That sounds like so much fun! I’d love to take the kids on a tour. They’d love it!
Oops. I forgot to add the by “kids”, I mean my son AND my husband. 😉
This sounds like so much fun! I think this would be a great thing to do with the whole family. I think my kids would love seeing a plant in action.
I have not been on an Auto Factory tour. I would love to take my Dad on a tour. He loves cars.
Looks like an awesome time! I enjoyed reading about your adventure.
I worked in an auto plan for 1.5 years before I had kids. I enjoyed it and it was awesome to see things come together.
The closest I’ve come was to visit the Henry Ford Museum. It was completely fascinating and since I’m from Michigan, the auto industry has always been a big thing.
That sounds like such a cool tour to take, I’d sure go! Making a note to go if I’m ever in the area!
What a cool experience. my dad would think this was the coolest thing in the world!
Very cool! That would be a great tour to take!
I have never even thought of taking an auto factory tour. I didn’t even know it was a thing you could do. Thank you for sharing.
I always love taking tours of different factories! Ford’s would be fun!
No. i am sure I would have enjoyed this tour. The old cars, the assembly line…hard to believe that the modern car evolved so in 100 years more or less.
What a great trip and tour you had! I own a Ford and it was very reliable for me!
What a great place to visit if we are in MI! Thanks for sharing!
I have never taken a tour like that before but I would love it. I love seeing behind the scenes of how things are made.