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.May 12, 2004
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This Week:

• Porsche Releases Initial Details of All-New 911 Models for Model Year 2005

• Mercedes Car Group: Successful New Products and Record Demand for E-Class

• Production Ends At Historic Dearborn Assembly

• DaimlerChrysler AG and Hyundai Motor Company Announce Realignment of Strategic Alliance

• Toyota Announces Management Changes at Toyota Motor North America, Inc.

• New Volkswagen convertible with innovative roof system to be launched in 2006

• Honda Announces Major Investment in the Marysville Auto Plant

• Porsche(R) Names New Design Chief; Veteran Harm Lagaay to Retire

• Chrysler Group Announces Changes in Product Development

• BMW Group Sales Rise 10.3% In April

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Production Ends At Historic Dearborn Assembly
 

Photo: Ford

• The last vehicle built at the Dearborn Assembly Plant, a 2004 Ford Mustang GT, rolls off the assembly line.

• Ford's oldest plant, opened in 1918, ends production as last Mustang rolls off the line.

• Dearborn Assembly, long recognized as the cornerstone of Ford's great Rouge Center, exemplifies the best of Ford's plants, people and products.

• Mustang production moves this fall to AutoAlliance International in Flat Rock, Mich.

• Employees transfer to the new Dearborn Truck Plant.

DEARBORN, Mich. - A red convertible 2004 Ford Mustang GT, the last vehicle built at the historic Dearborn Assembly Plant, rolled off the assembly line today, marking the end of production at one of the world's oldest manufacturing plants.

Opened in 1918, Dearborn Assembly Plant (DAP) has long stood as the cornerstone of Ford's legendary Rouge Center. The plant will close as the company opens its newest plant, Dearborn Truck Plant (DTP), which recently began building the 2004 Ford F-150.

Fred Galicki, a 32-year employee, was selected by his fellow workers to drive the car off the line. With him was Oscar Hovsepian, a Ford retiree with 37 years of service, who drove the first Mustang off the line in 1964.

Hundreds of employees walked with the car as it reached the end of the assembly line. The employees will be transferred to the nearby Dearborn Truck Plant. Mustang production will move to AutoAlliance International in Flat Rock, Mich., this fall.

"This is a historic day for our people, our plant and the great product we've been building here for 40 years," said Rob Webber, plant manager of Dearborn Assembly and Dearborn Truck plants. "Our workforce has always taken great pride in the products they have built since this plant opened in 1918. And today is no exception."

Dearborn Assembly has built 6.7 million Mustangs in 40 years.

Dearborn Assembly is being decommissioned with a portion of the structure dedicated for historical preservation. Preservation plans will be announced at a later date.

About Dearborn Assembly Plant

As it ended production, Dearborn Assembly Plant was one of six plants at the Ford Rouge Center. During its final year, the plant employed approximately 2,000 hourly employees and 175 salaried employees on two shifts. The plant had nearly 3.4 million square feet and 10 miles of assembly line, sitting on 47 acres.

(May 10, 2004)