Ford Vehicle

The decision highlights the shifting cost equation between Canada and the United States in the wake of the new labor agreement between Ford and the United Auto Workers. Ford has cut its Canadian production back more than any other U.S. automaker, slashing its annual output in Ontario from nearly 676,000 units in 1986 to fewer than 200,000 in 2006.

Production is up this year, thanks to the introduction of the new Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX crossovers, which Ford builds at its plant in Oakville, Ontario. The 2.6-million-square-foot plant employs about 2,300 hourly workers and 160 salaried employees. It has produced the Ford Escort, Fairmont, Maverick and Pinto. You can reach Bryce Hoffman at (313) 222-2443 or bhoffman@detnews.com .