Ford ends Thunderbolt era as rear wheel drive fades
Ford shutters the Thunderbird and Cougar lines signaling a shift in U S carmaking toward front wheel drive. Analysts say Lorain Assembly will finish full size Econoline vans while Flat Rock prepares new front wheel drive models. Ford faces plant closings and trucking demand shifts as buyers favor front wheel drive and SUVs.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pete Geiger
Chronicle-Telegram Ord
Thunderbird
Cougar
United States
Ford
Jim Wangers
Amci Automotive Marketing Consultants
San Diego
Lorain
Mercury
Flat Rock
Mich
Mazda
Japan
Wangers
Thunderbird production figures for 1978 reported
The record lists Thunderbird production numbers totaling 822,517 units for the year 1978 with 304,430 additional units in a secondary line labeled A979 0 BiB 698. It references specific model counts and internal codes without broader context.
End of Ford Lorain plant signals job fears
The Chronicle Telegram reports the Lorain Assembly Plant’s car production ending and 1,564 jobs lost, prompting questions about the plant’s future while more than 2,000 workers shift to finishing Ford Econoline vans. Initial assembly work continues with new production lines planned.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lorain
Pete Geiger
Chronicle-Telegram
Ford
Ford Lorain plant fate debated amid van and model talks
Analysts weigh Lorain Ohio plant prospects as Ford keeps Econoline van production there for the foreseeable future while exploring options for other lines. Some envision specialty van work or shifting some Windstar or Quest variants, with Avon Lake and Lorain plants facing uncertain futures but no imminent closure.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lorain
Ford
Alan Baum
Isr.n. Inc
Grand Rapids, Mich
Baum
Canada
Avon Lake
Lorain workers face Ford cutback with union backup
Amy Richards reports Lorain County braces for Ford layoffs as 1 564 workers lose jobs at the Lorain Assembly Plant. Larry Tanner of UAW Local 780 says the plant closing mirrors Elyria’s Fisher Guide shutdown, and vows workers will be OK due to union protections. He notes transfers to GM and retirements, Governor Keys’ revenue impact, and hopes for community resilience. He criticizes Ford as temporarily losing its mind but expects the company to regret the decision.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ford
Wangers
Louisville
Elyria
Ford Motor Co
Larry Tanner
Tanner
United Auto Workers
Fisher Guide
Lorain
Columbus
Marion
Mansfield
Parma
Flint
Mich
Michigan
Lorain County
Inlyria
UAW
Michael Keys
Invacare Corp
York International Corp
Also Mentioned on This Page
Jim Hall
AutoPacific Group
Detroit
North America
Lincoln
Vans
Ohio Assembly
Ucts
Walton Hills
Cleveland
Brook Park
Kentucky
AutoPacific Group of Detroit
Ohio
Hall
U.S
Kansas City
Oakville
Ontario
Hail
Nissan
Kurt von Zumwald
Los Angeles
von Zumwald
Villager
Quest
Masao S. YU
M.D., Inc
Salem Court Professional Arts
Oberlin Avenue
Douglas D. Long
P.A
Amy Richards
The
Savin
Gsbanka
Strongsville Savings Bank
Emerald Financial Corp
Herricck Ave
Berea
West Bay
Parma Heights
130Th St
Rod
Aren! Peart
Ola Station
Nationwide
Dale Spiegelberg Spiegelberg Insurance Agency
Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc
Istered Federal
Ea de Mutual
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