Ford BlueOval City Adds New Tier 1 Supplier

April 26, 2024 11:55 am

Though FoMoCo has dialed back its EV ambitions as of late in response to slowing demand, construction at the future Ford BlueOval City and BlueOval SK sites continue, regardless. Ford BlueOval City, specifically, is slated to begin building an EV pickup in 2026, and has thus far secured multiple sources of funding from the likes of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). FoMoCo is also busy adding suppliers to the future site, with the first being a familiar name – Magna, which already produces the battery enclosures used in the Ford F-150 Lightning. Now, Ford BlueOval City has added a new Tier 1 supplier to that mix, too.

Magna will soon be joined by Avancez at BlueOval City Supplier Park, a Michigan-based company that specializes in complex modular assembly, sequencing, and other supply chain operations for automotive manufacturers. Avancez will invest $54 million to expand its assembly operations and build a new facility in the supplier park, which will result in the employment of more than 4,000 people between this site and the company’s other locations in the U.S. and Canada – 501 of which will be based at BlueOval City Supplier Park. It’s a strategic move for the company as well, as this – its third U.S.-based location – places it closer to its customers in the Southeast.

“We’re thrilled to join Ford’s BlueOval City campus as we make a lasting commitment to Tennessee,” said Kathryn Nichols, CEO, Avancez. “We look forward to creating amazing development opportunities with the exceptional people of Haywood County. In partnership with Ford, we’re poised to forge relationships and build a better future for team members, families, and friends alike. By linking arms, we’ll create a community committed to a brighter, more sustainable future as we drive progress and prosperity every step of the way.”

“Tennessee’s longstanding history in the automotive industry has propelled our state forward as a powerhouse in the electric vehicle evolution,” added Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. “I thank Avancez for creating hundreds of new jobs for the skilled workforce in Haywood County and look forward to the economic prosperity this project will bring to West Tennessee.”

We’ll have more on Ford BlueOval City soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for 24/7 Ford news coverage.

By Brett Foote

Brett's lost track of all the Fords he's owned over the years and how much he's spent modifying them, but his current money pits include an S550 Mustang and 13th gen F-150.