Ford's Quality Benchmark Set by Mexico and China Plants, Not US

Key Takeaways

• Ford CEO Jim Farley says Mexico and China plants are setting the benchmark for the company’s manufacturing quality.
• US plants have improved rapidly, with Ford topping the mainstream brand rankings for initial quality in JD Power’s study.
• Ford’s efforts to boost quality are working, but the company still issues recalls at a significant pace.
• Toyota and Nissan have warned Japanese buyers about potential quality issues with US-built imports.
• Ford believes technology, including AI, will play a bigger role in improving quality, but skilled workers are still essential.

What’s Behind Ford’s Quality Improvement?

Ford’s efforts to boost quality are paying off, with the company topping the mainstream brand rankings for initial quality in JD Power’s study.

This improvement is the result of a four-year effort to overhaul the company’s manufacturing culture, according to Farley.

However, Ford still issues recalls at a significant pace, indicating that there is still work to be done.

How Do Mexico and China Plants Compare to US Plants?

Farley credits Mexico and China plants for consistently outperforming the rest of the company’s manufacturing network in terms of following production processes and solving problems on the factory floor.

He notes that different countries bring different workplace cultures, which can either help or hinder the company’s quality goals.

US plants, represented by the UAW, have improved rapidly, but still have room for improvement.

What Do Toyota and Nissan Say About US-Built Imports?

Toyota and Nissan have warned Japanese buyers that some US-built imports may arrive with paint imperfections, uneven panel fit, or minor cosmetic flaws that wouldn’t meet typical domestic expectations.

This echoes Farley’s comments about the need for skilled workers to spot problems before customers do.

How Will Technology Impact Ford’s Quality?

Ford believes technology, including AI, will play a bigger role in improving quality, but skilled workers are still essential.

Farley notes that workers in Mexico and China are embracing AI tools more enthusiastically than their North American counterparts.

However, he insists that software alone is not enough, and that lasting quality still depends on experienced people.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Ford’s current quality ranking?

Ford topped the mainstream brand rankings for initial quality in JD Power’s study.

Q: What is behind Ford’s quality improvement?

Ford’s efforts to boost quality are the result of a four-year effort to overhaul the company’s manufacturing culture.

Q: How do Mexico and China plants compare to US plants?

Mexico and China plants consistently outperform the rest of the company’s manufacturing network in terms of following production processes and solving problems on the factory floor.