Question: I’m a huge Ford fan, but I recently read an article that many of its raw materials are sourced from overseas. While it doesn’t make a huge difference to me, I still am curious about the production process. Where do Ford’s raw materials come from?
Answer: Ford has a supplier showcase website where they talk about the companies that supply the parts that go into a Ford. Here are the suppliers they featured, where they are based and what role they play in the making of a Ford.
Flex-N-Gate Seeburn
Location: Originally from Illinois, now in 10 countries
Flex-N-Gate supplies door hinges and arms. The company began manufacturing aftermarket parts in 1956 and transitioned to original equipment manufacturing in 1968, with a focus on producing high-quality automotive products.
Valeo Electric and Electronic Systems
Location: Originally from France, now in 33 countries
Valeo is an auto supplier that manufactures door hinges and arms. They’re a global company that started in 1923 and now operates in 33 countries, partnering with automakers worldwide.
Dee Zee
Location: Des Moines, IA
Dee Zee supplies running boards. They’ve been manufacturing truck accessories since 1977 and have supplied major brands like Chrysler, Ford, GM, Honda, Nissan, Subaru, and Toyota.
NHK Spring
Location: Louisville, KY
NHK Spring supplies Ford with suspension stabilizer linkages. They also provide many car manufacturers with automotive springs.
WARN Industries
Location: Clackamas, OR
WARN Industries supplies Ford with axle assemblies. They’re known for durable, innovative off-road products, including winches, bumpers, mounting systems, rigging equipment, and 4WD hubs, catering to truck, Jeep, SUV, and powersports owners.
Autoliv
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Autolive supplies airbags to Ford. They’re a global leader in automotive safety, operating in 27 countries and saving more than 30,000 lives annually with their products.
U-Shin Europe
Location: Hungary
U-Shin Europe supplies Ford with steering columns. They are headquartered in Japan, and their European subsidiary is located in Hungary. U-Shin makes systems, control machines and mechanical components for automotive uses.
Summit Plastics
Location: Summit, MS
Summit Plastics supplies Ford with instrument panel components. This Mississippi-based company also specializes in high-quality, custom-printed containers for the greenhouse industry.
Chaidneme
Location: Bogotá, Colombia
Chaidneme supplies mufflers and exhaust systems to Ford. The company manufactures auto parts and plastic and rubber products. They also distribute vehicles for various industrial and commercial activities.
HJI Solutions
Location: Louisville, KY
HJI Solutions is a visible minority-owned transportation company, originally part of a joint venture, that became the largest in North America under the leadership of the Houston family.
HJI provides specialized third-party logistics services to automotive OEMs, helping them address supply chain challenges and support global expansion by offering insights and advice on logistics strategies.
Xuyun Zeng is a content strategist with a wide-ranging content background including tech, journalism, cars and health care. After graduating with highest honors in journalism, Xuyun led a newspaper to win eight awards, helped start an award-winning film industry podcast and has written over a hundred articles about cars repair, state laws and insurance. Prior to joining Jerry, Xuyun worked as a freelance SEO consultant with a mission to create the best content that will help readers and grow organic traffic.
Expert insurance writer and editor Amy Bobinger specializes in car repair, car maintenance, and car insurance. Amy is passionate about creating content that helps consumers navigate challenges related to car ownership and achieve financial success in areas relating to cars. Amy has over 10 years of writing and editing experience. After several years as a freelance writer, Amy spent four years as an editing fellow at WikiHow, where she co-authored over 600 articles on topics including car maintenance and home ownership. Since joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2022, Amy has edited over 2,500 articles on car insurance, state driving laws, and car repair and maintenance.
