FCN Online:Focus Fans Tour Wayne Plant
Focus Fans Tour Wayne Plant
By Robert Musial
DEARBORN, Sept. 7, 2007 (FCN) -- Fifteen Ford Focus enthusiasts from
Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and North Carolina got an up-close look on
Thursday at the 2008 models – inside the Wayne, Michigan plant where
they are built.
Ford Focus enthusiasts get an up-close look at the 2008 model at the
Wayne Assembly PlantThe group, participants of two Focus owners' Web
sites (FocalJet.com and FocusFanatics.com) was invited by Ford Motor
Company to tour the plant, watch the 2008 Focus being built and then
drive the car on the plant’s new “rough road” track.
"I like a lot of the changes. It's definitely a quieter and smoother
car. You can tell that right from start-up," said Tom Lesperance, of
Belmont, N.C.
He should know. He owns a 2002 Focus that's been modified with a
turbocharger to put out more than 700 horsepower.
The special tour of the Wayne Stamping and Assembly Plant, featured
stops in the body shop, final assembly and the pre-delivery areas,
where the group got an in-car demonstration of the new Sync system,
which offers a hand-free, voice-activated connection for mobile
phones and digital media devices.
The Focus fans also got to drive the new cars on the plant's quality
testing track and later that afternoon at the Dearborn Proving
Grounds.
"I'm pretty impressed with it. To see the car in person, well, the
pictures don't do it justice," said Brian DePietro, a Focus Fanatics
member from Youngstown, Ohio.
"I believe it's a true winner. Ford is putting a lot of hard work
into this. I'm impressed," added Bryan Gubert of Walled Lake, Mich.
Body shop manager Tony Hayes and plant launch manager Terry Burkeen
explained several of the new manufacturing methods used to ensure a
high-quality vehicle, including keeping the front and rear bumper
fascias in protective bags until assembly and an in-car vacuum test
for air leakage, which helps pinpoint and reduce road noise.
"I am so proud of this car and this team, it's unbelievable," said
Burkeen.
Based on the comments from those on Thursday's tour, such optimism
is deserved.
"It's a very solid car. I like it. The fit and finish is far
superior to the older models. They were trying to improve it
ten-fold and I think they have. There's definitely one in my
future," said Drew Brown, of Monroe, Michigan, who owns three
Focuses, including one with 175,000 miles.
After his short test drive at the plant, Gerald Seifert, of Macomb
Township, Mich., was also impressed.
"It handles well, way better than earlier models. I give it rave
reviews for interior quality and drivability. The steering is
tighter and the ride is smoother," said Seifert, who is building a
Focus to race.
Plant manager Dale Wishnousky said he and his team were heartened by
the comments of the Focus fans.
"These cars really are fabulous. Ford is showing it is very serious
about this car," said Wishnousky.
For Internal Use Only
© 2007 Ford Motor Company, all rights reserved.
Focus Fans Tour Wayne Plant
By Robert Musial
DEARBORN, Sept. 7, 2007 (FCN) -- Fifteen Ford Focus enthusiasts from
Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and North Carolina got an up-close look on
Thursday at the 2008 models – inside the Wayne, Michigan plant where
they are built.
Ford Focus enthusiasts get an up-close look at the 2008 model at the
Wayne Assembly PlantThe group, participants of two Focus owners' Web
sites (FocalJet.com and FocusFanatics.com) was invited by Ford Motor
Company to tour the plant, watch the 2008 Focus being built and then
drive the car on the plant’s new “rough road” track.
"I like a lot of the changes. It's definitely a quieter and smoother
car. You can tell that right from start-up," said Tom Lesperance, of
Belmont, N.C.
He should know. He owns a 2002 Focus that's been modified with a
turbocharger to put out more than 700 horsepower.
The special tour of the Wayne Stamping and Assembly Plant, featured
stops in the body shop, final assembly and the pre-delivery areas,
where the group got an in-car demonstration of the new Sync system,
which offers a hand-free, voice-activated connection for mobile
phones and digital media devices.
The Focus fans also got to drive the new cars on the plant's quality
testing track and later that afternoon at the Dearborn Proving
Grounds.
"I'm pretty impressed with it. To see the car in person, well, the
pictures don't do it justice," said Brian DePietro, a Focus Fanatics
member from Youngstown, Ohio.
"I believe it's a true winner. Ford is putting a lot of hard work
into this. I'm impressed," added Bryan Gubert of Walled Lake, Mich.
Body shop manager Tony Hayes and plant launch manager Terry Burkeen
explained several of the new manufacturing methods used to ensure a
high-quality vehicle, including keeping the front and rear bumper
fascias in protective bags until assembly and an in-car vacuum test
for air leakage, which helps pinpoint and reduce road noise.
"I am so proud of this car and this team, it's unbelievable," said
Burkeen.
Based on the comments from those on Thursday's tour, such optimism
is deserved.
"It's a very solid car. I like it. The fit and finish is far
superior to the older models. They were trying to improve it
ten-fold and I think they have. There's definitely one in my
future," said Drew Brown, of Monroe, Michigan, who owns three
Focuses, including one with 175,000 miles.
After his short test drive at the plant, Gerald Seifert, of Macomb
Township, Mich., was also impressed.
"It handles well, way better than earlier models. I give it rave
reviews for interior quality and drivability. The steering is
tighter and the ride is smoother," said Seifert, who is building a
Focus to race.
Plant manager Dale Wishnousky said he and his team were heartened by
the comments of the Focus fans.
"These cars really are fabulous. Ford is showing it is very serious
about this car," said Wishnousky.
For Internal Use Only
© 2007 Ford Motor Company, all rights reserved.
