Temporary Layoffs, Recalls at Ford's Louisville Facility

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

The sun may shine bright upon my old Kentucky home, but that doesn’t mean things here can’t always be good. In the case of Ford, it’s not so good right now for the automaker’s efforts in Louisville.

First off, most of the 3,800 workers at Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant have been laid-off temporarily until the end of this week due to a parts shortage for the Navigators, Expeditions and Super-Dutys screwed together there. The cause of the shortage appears to involve a fire at one of the plant’s part suppliers, and while UAW officials claim the part in question is a sensor, Ford officials are following company policy, not saying anything either way.

Of course, the fire doesn’t affect the Louisville Assembly Plant, but a major recall certainly does: Starting 23 July, Ford will recall nearly 8,300 Escapes — all made in Louisville — due to a very Toyota/Lexus-esque issue involving carpeting and braking. The affected CUVs were made from 8 March to 7 June of this year, if you happen to be one of the owners in question.

Speaking of that CUV, I leave you with the above photo of what used to be a large movieplex until it was finally demolished last year. The lot has played host to a few curious things since then, including housing some if not all of the 3,500 Escapes that could not escape the hailstorm in April. There were more a few weeks ago, but most of them have gone off somewhere. Maybe towards one of the auctions our Monsieur Lang visits?

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • Cheezeweggie Cheezeweggie on Jul 18, 2012

    There certainly isnt a fugly chromed plastic grille shortage.

  • Caboose Caboose on Jul 19, 2012

    Why y'll drinkin' tha Hater-Ade an' stuff? Why you gotta be all up in that truck's grille, Man? Ahem. Insurance companies LOVE that grille. The less paint exposed to stone chips and fender benders, the less likely to get damaged. The more plastic, and the less metal, the cheaper it is (for the insurance company - not for the owner) to have fixed. Bumpers are comparatively cheap: they are bolted on and inexpensive to replace. Unlike, say quarter-panels that wrap to the front end. So it's either this, or else a Lexus-esque plastic bumper that goes up to the windshield wipers.

  • Dartdude The bottom line is that in the new America coming the elites don't want you and me to own cars. They are going to make building cars so expensive that the will only be for the very rich and connected. You will eat bugs and ride the bus and live in a 500sq-ft. apartment and like it. HUD wants to quit giving federal for any development for single family homes and don't be surprised that FHA aren't going to give loans for single family homes in the very near future.
  • Ravenuer The rear view of the Eldo coupe makes it look fat!
  • FreedMike This is before Cadillac styling went full scale nutty...and not particularly attractive, in my opinion.
  • JTiberius1701 Middle of April here in NE Ohio. And that can still be shaky. Also on my Fiesta ST, I use Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires for the winter and Bridgestone Potenza for my summer tires. No issues at all.
  • TCowner We've had a 64.5 Mustang in the family for the past 40 years. It is all original, Rangoon Red coupe with 289 (one of the first instead of the 260), Rally Pac, 4-speed, factory air, every option. Always gets smiles and thumbs ups.
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