Ford Motor Co. has announced its intention to invest a substantial $3 billion to enhance the production of its F-Series Super Duty pickups. From 2026, the company plans to commence the manufacturing of these heavy-duty trucks at its Oakville Assembly Complex in Ontario, Canada.
This significant investment will involve the implementation of new assembly and stamping equipment at the Oakville facility, with the objective of initially increasing the production of heavy-duty trucks by an additional 100,000 vehicles annually. Furthermore, Ford aims to expand Super Duty production across three of its North American facilities, including the Kentucky Truck Plant, Ohio Assembly Plant, and Oakville Complex, in response to the heightened demand for these trucks.
According to Ford President and CEO, Jim Farley, the surge in demand for Super Duty trucks has surpassed the company’s existing production capacities. This heightened demand is primarily driven by a substantial increase in infrastructure and construction-related activities, as indicated in the company’s press release.
Despite the fact that the Kentucky Truck and Ohio Assembly plants manufactured over 200,000 F-Series Super Duty trucks in the first half of 2024, Ford’s CEO emphasized that this production capacity is still inadequate to meet the escalating demand. Farley expressed in the press release, “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 at full capacity, we can’t keep up with the demand.”
Due to declining demand for electric vehicles, the original plan to produce a new three-row electric SUV at the Oakville plant has been put on hold. Consequently, Ford has postponed the launch of the electric SUV to 2027 to leverage emerging battery technology for enhanced durability and reduced costs. Once the retooling is complete, the Oakville facility will become “a fully flexible plant,” enabling Ford to incorporate electrified powertrains into the vehicles manufactured there in the future.
In addition to creating approximately 1,800 jobs in Oakville, the expansion of Super Duty truck production will lead to the addition of 150 jobs at Ford’s Windsor Engine Complex, as well as around 70 jobs at the automaker’s Rawsonville Components Plant and Sterling Axle Plant in Michigan. Ford also plans to invest $24 million in its Sharonville Transmission Plant in Ohio and offer additional overtime to employees at that location.
Overall, the Super Duty truck production is facilitated by a total of 10 U.S. plants that encompass powertrain, transmission, stamping, and final assembly, providing employment for around 20,000 workers. Ford’s Chief Operating Officer Kumar Galhotra expressed confidence in the investment, stating, “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. 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.”
Ford’s substantial investment in the expansion of Super Duty truck production signifies the company’s dedication to meeting the increasing demand for these heavy-duty vehicles. With a strategic focus on bolstering manufacturing capabilities and job creation, Ford’s $3 billion investment is set to establish the company as a formidable player in the automotive industry.