is a Ford Motor Company-owned automobile assembly facility located in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico…read more The facility currently assembles Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ models for the North American market. The facility, which began production in 1986, employs 1,500 people and covers a floor space of approximately 1,500,000 sq ft (140,000 m2). At its inception, the plant was jointly owned by Ford and Mazda, the two companies sharing production techniques. Initially all parts were shipped from Japan for final assembly of the 323 and Tracer models. Local content has gradually increased over the years with the addition of on site suppliers. The plant is unionized under SINTRAFORD. Because of the plant's Sonoran Desert location and drought conditions during the 1990s, the plant has reduced its water usage by 40% from earlier numbers. The plant is able to supply the city from its own wells during emergencies.