Ford’s New GTBC Starts Operations

On Sep. 12, 2022, Ford announced it started operations at its Global Technology and Business Center (GTBC), located in the State of Mexico. The new center aims to accomplish Ford’s electrification vision. 

The GTBC is one of Ford’s largest engineering centers in Latin America, offering offices and first-class amenities to over 4,000 employees. It can host up to 9,000 people simultaneously in a hybrid work model, giving the company the ability to expand its operations in Mexico. 

Ford de México has developed a sustainability plan to make the GTBC a sustainable facility, which includes a zero-waste program that consists of recycling, composting and other actions to ensure that the waste generated will not end up in the local landfills near the campus. Besides this, all wastewater will be treated and reused and the building also has a rainwater control system to prevent erosion. 

Maintaining the natural state of ravines, while preventing erosion and contamination, was a priority in the entire construction of the GTBC, according to the company. “The new GTBC integrates 4.2 hectares of protected natural green area under the care of Ford de México, which reforests the spaces with the support of all employees as part of an internal campaign that aims to maintain and strengthen this lung for the area,” said Ford. 

Mexican talent is key to the company's efforts to modernize and adopt electromobility and other future trends. The GTBC also has access to ramps and intelligent elevators, with visual and audio aids to provide accessibility throughout the facility. It also has a gymnasium, cafeterias, state-of-the-art medical services, a mini-mart, dry cleaning services and soccer and volleyball fields, while also having green areas for walking and meditation. In 2021, the company hired 2.5 times more new employees than expected, with a total of 500 new hirings in only one year. 

Ford recently announced that by the end of 2023, its assembly plant in Cuautitlan, State of Mexico, will triple its production capacity, going from 70,000 to 210,000 units. This increase in capacity is thanks to a US$50 billion investment that will allow the plant to incorporate more shifts, as reported by MBN.  

The company is also increasing EV production, which in Mexico focuses on the Mustang Mach-E. Mexico currently manufactures 80 percent of all vehicles of this model sold worldwide and aims to supply North America, the EU and China.