A red convertible 2004 Ford Mustang GT, the last vehicle built at the historic Dearborn Assembly Plant, rolled off the assembly line yesterday, marking the end of production at one of the world’s oldest manufacturing plants.
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Opened in 1918, Dearborn Assembly Plant (DAP) has long stood as the cornerstone of Ford’s legendary Rouge Center. The plant will close as the company opens its newest plant, Dearborn Truck Plant (DTP), which recently began building the 2004 Ford F-150.
Fred Galicki, a 32-year employee, was selected by his fellow workers to drive the car off the line. With him was Oscar Hovsepian, a Ford retiree with 37 years of service, who drove the first Mustang off the line in 1964.
Hundreds of employees walked with the car as it reached the end of the assembly line. The employees will be transferred to the nearby Dearborn Truck Plant. Mustang production will move to AutoAlliance International in Flat Rock, Mich., this autumn.
“This is a historic day for our people, our plant and the great product we’ve been building here for 40 years,” said Rob Webber, plant manager of Dearborn Assembly and Dearborn Truck plants. “Our workforce has always taken great pride in the products they have built since this plant opened in 1918. And today is no exception.”
Dearborn Assembly has built 6.7 million Mustangs in 40 years.
Dearborn Assembly is being decommissioned with a portion of the structure dedicated for historical preservation. Preservation plans will be announced at a later date, Ford said.
