With the Twin Cities Ford Assembly Plant slated to close in the fall of 2009 and the price of gasoline on the rise, Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman today sent a letter to Ford CEO Alan Mulally encouraging him to reevaluate the viability of the plant in light of its production capability of fuel-efficient vehicles. In his letter, Senator Coleman noted that sales for the Ford Ranger, which the Twin Cities Assembly Plant has manufactured since 1992, have increased during the first 5 months of this year. With a highly skilled workforce of over 1,000 employees, Coleman argued that the plant remains the ideal facility to accommodate future demand as consumers seek lightweight, fuel-efficient trucks.

To make a direct appeal, Senator Coleman will be traveling to Ford headquarters in the near future for a meeting with Ford officials.

“Sales of the Ford Ranger are proving that folks want fuel-efficient vehicles. The Ranger is one of the most cost effective vehicles in its class and it is my hope that Ford will reexamine the potential of this plant in light of increased demand,” said Coleman. “I have long said that the St. Paul plant could play a key role in helping lead Ford into the future – a future that will be tied to continued development of innovative vehicles. Since 1925, the St. Paul plant has been a source of good paying jobs, and I look forward to meeting with Ford officials to discuss its prospects for continued production.”

Text of the letter is as follows:

June 4, 2008

Mr. Alan Mulally
Chief Executive Officer
Ford Motor Company
P.O. Box 6248
Dearborn, MI 48126

Dear Mr. Mulally:

I am writing today to encourage you to revisit Ford Motor Company’s decision to close its Twin Cities Assembly Plant in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Twin Cities Assembly Plant has a strong history of producing light, fuel-efficient vehicles that are now in high demand due to the escalating price of gasoline, and I encourage you to consider a long-term mission for this plant that utilizes its contributions to the international automobile market.

In recent months, the rising cost of oil and subsequent increase in gasoline prices has hurt domestic automobile sales. At the same time, sales of light-duty trucks are on the rise. Sales of Ford’s Ranger pickup have increased so far in 2008 over the same time period last year as they have become one of the most cost-effective vehicles available. As you have ably noted in recent weeks, these significant shifts in consumer demand could warrant consideration of a new line of lighter weight trucks.

The Twin Cities Assembly Plant in St. Paul, MN is the ideal location for the manufacture of these fuel efficient trucks. Having manufactured Ford Rangers exclusively since 1992, the plant already includes a workforce of over 1,000 people skilled in their assembly; a workforce that can continue to grow good paying jobs in accommodating future demand. Costs of potential upgrades to Twin Cities Assembly Plant equipment would also be minimized as plant capital is already designed for light truck manufacturing. In addition, the plant includes ample space for potential research and development with over 140 acres of land along the Mississippi River near the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport.

Moreover, the State of Minnesota is the perfect environment for the manufacture of light trucks and flex-fuel automobiles that utilize fuel efficient, renewable energy technology. With 17 ethanol plants and nearly one-third of the country’s E-85 pumps located in Minnesota, flex-fuel engine technology is widely utilized within our state’s borders.

As Ford responds to consumer demand for light trucks, I encourage you to consider the successful role the Twin Cities Assembly Plant could play in your company. While business decisions often require capital restructuring and facility closures, I encourage you to consider these people and facilities as critical components of Ford's future.

I would welcome the opportunity to visit with you personally or the appropriate member of your leadership team to further discuss this important issue. I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,

Norm Coleman
United States Senate

Contact(s):
Leroy Coleman, (202) 224-5641


Source: Coleman.Senate.gov.