With a total of 1,400 new Ford employees – 400 newly announced and 1,000 announced in 2014 – and a $700 million Canadian Dollar investment, Ford launched the global production its all-new 2015 Ford Edge at the newly transformed Oakville Assembly plant outside of Toronto, Canada.
2015 Ford Edge coming off the Oakville, Ontario assembly line.
Ford stated the new CUV will be exported to more than 100 countries.
The Ford Edge will eventually be shipped around the world, from North America and South America, to Asia, Africa and the Middle East. With the addition of right-hand-drive and a diesel engine – not for us :(, the Edge will also be exported for the first time to Western Europe.
The enhancements at Oakville Assembly will enable Ford to shift production more quickly and efficiently to meet increasing consumer demand. Worldwide demand for utility vehicles is up 88 percent since 2008 and utilities now account for 19 percent of the global automotive market, with the segment expanding more than three times the rate of the vehicle industry overall.
In Europe, the utility vehicle segment grew from nine percent market share in 2008 to 21 percent in 2014.
All-new 2015 Ford Edge
The 2015 Ford Edge incorporates improved driving dynamics and quieter ride within an entirely new body structure and redesigned front and rear suspension.
The all-new 2015 Ford Edge will be the first Ford vehicle in North America powered by the company’s new twin-scroll 2.0L EcoBoost engine. The 2015 model is the first Edge to come standard with EcoBoost power.
When it goes on sale this spring, the all-new Ford Edge will be available in SE, SEL and Titanium trims.
Oakville Assembly
The Oakville Assembly Plant has undergone a massive transformation to include new tech and robotics, new processes, and new training. More than 250 new robots were added, including new software and vision systems that improve efficiency, precision and quality. In addition, approximately 1,000 robots have been upgraded. These robots have been installed to work to the most demanding levels of precision and accuracy – with duties to ensure repeatable and high-quality assembly, including:
- New robots to apply urethane to glass creating a perfect seal
- New robots to install panels, doors and hoods reducing variability
- Laser brazing with new robotics to offer cleaner lines and higher strength and precision
- “Vehicle on Wheels” visions system to ensure the flushness of doors, hood and lift gate through laser and optical imaging
- 3D dirt detection technology and increased robotic automation in paint
To prepare for Oakville’s 1,400 newest hires, a simulation classroom was created to provide hands-on training. Throughout the plant, existing employees received training to manage new systems and processes.
Oakville Assembly has also been recognized for its environmental efforts. The plant is the first North American Ford assembly plant to go zero waste-to-landfill, and has recently upgraded to LED lighting across the plant, replacing 7,000 lights and saving an estimated 15 million kilowatt-hours of energy per year.
All-new 2015 Ford Edge Begins with 400 New Employees in Ontario, Canada
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