Ford CEO Jim Farley has revealed that the automaker's best quality work is happening outside the United States.
He told reporters that Ford's plants in China and Mexico, which produce models like the Maverick and Bronco Sport, consistently set the benchmark for process compliance and problem-solving on the factory floor.
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"Consistently, our China and Mexico plants are the most compliant with process and have the deepest problem-solving skill," Farley said, as quoted by The Detroit News.
He noted that different workplace cultures across countries can either help or hinder quality goals.
US Plants Are Catching Up
Farley's comments are not meant as a criticism of US plants. He acknowledged that American factories represented by the UAW have improved rapidly.
This improvement is reflected in Ford's surprising victory in this year's J. D.
Power Initial Quality Study, after ranking low just a few years ago.
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Ford has transformed from a recall-prone automaker to the top mainstream brand for initial quality, according to Farley.
He attributed the achievement to a four-year effort to overhaul the company's manufacturing culture. However, the company still issues recalls, reminding everyone that work remains.
Toyota and Nissan have also warned Japanese buyers that some US-built imports may have paint imperfections or uneven panel fit, echoing concerns about quality from American plants.
Farley believes technology will play a bigger role in quality.
He said workers in Mexico and China are embracing artificial intelligence tools more enthusiastically than their North American counterparts.
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However, he stressed that "there's no substitute" for skilled workers, and lasting quality depends on experienced people spotting problems before customers do.
