Ford Rouge Factory Tour Celebrates First Year of Operation
New Clean Diesel Buses, Special Ford Employee Ticket Prices are all part of the Anniversary Celebration
DEARBORN, Mich., May 2 -- The Ford Rouge Factory Tour celebrates its first year of operation. Since opening its doors, the new attraction has hosted more than 200,000 people from around the world. In celebration of the one year anniversary, Ford Motor Company employees will be able to purchase tickets for the tour for only $5. Plus new this year, two environmentally-friendly clean diesel buses have been added to the bus fleet to transport visitors from The Henry Ford to the Ford Rouge Factory Tour.
In the last year, the tour has welcomed thousands of tour and school groups, families, grandparents, retired auto employees and car buffs. These visitors are not only from all over the United States, but the world. Dignitaries and celebrities including Mexican President Vicente Fox, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, Indy racing legend Al Unser Sr. and the cast of the "King & I " with Stephanie Powers have toured the Rouge.
"According to the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Ford Rouge Factory Tour has significantly enhanced our tourism product lineup in metro Detroit," said Patricia Mooradian, Chief Operating Officer of The Henry Ford. "As one of the most frequently requested visitor experiences, a tour of this magnitude is uniquely Detroit and showcases the importance of the auto industry to our heritage. The Henry Ford is proud to make this contribution."
The Ford Rouge Factory Tour is a joint venture between The Henry Ford and Ford Motor Company.
"When you visit the Ford Rouge Factory Tour, you will see a world class manufacturing facility, the industry benchmark, the F-150 and environmental leadership," said Tim O'Brien, vice president, Corporate Relations, Ford Motor Company. "During the tour, visitors can view the World's Largest Living Roof and learn about all of the environmental initiatives incorporated into the Ford Rouge Center, including the clean burning diesel buses. All of these initiatives are part of Ford Motor Company's commitment to be a successful and sustainable business."
Fun Facts:
* More than 200,000 visitors have taken the Ford Rouge Factory Tour in the first year.
* Visitors have watched 154,384 trucks being built at the Dearborn Truck Plant since May 3, 2004.
* 16,645 Big red F-150's have been produced.
* 771,570 tires have been installed on the trucks which includes the spare tire.
* Ford employees have used approximately 161,794,432 nuts and bolts in the last year to build the trucks at the Dearborn Truck Plant.
* 110 pounds of honey has been produced from the beehives at the Ford Rouge Factory Tour.
* Killdeer and Canadian Geese have nested on the green roof on top of the Dearborn Truck Plant.
* More than a dozen different types of wildlife have been spotted in and around the Ford Rouge Center including: deer, fox, mallard and canvasback ducks and rabbits.
New this Year at the Ford Rouge Factory Tour: Clean Diesel Buses
The Ford Rouge Factory Tour has added two new clean diesel buses to its fleet. These buses transport visitors from The Henry Ford's main campus to the Ford Rouge Factory Tour.
The clean diesel buses use BP ECD(R), Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel (ULSD) and produce little odor and none of the black smoke associated with diesel engines.
The Ford Rouge Factory Tour's clean diesel buses are equipped with the latest technology in diesel engine management and catalytic exhaust filtration. These clean diesel buses reduce particulate emission by 85 percent and hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions by 90 percent.
$5 Ford Employee Tickets
As a tribute to when Henry Ford raised the wage of his workers to $5 a day, Ford Motor Company employees will be able to purchase tickets for the Ford Rouge Factory Tour for just $5. The $5 ticket is for Ford employees only (limit 6) and is for a limited time May 1 - June 15. Tickets may be purchased by calling (313) 982-6001 or at any onsite ticket office at The Henry Ford.
The tour is open seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Ticket prices to Ford Rouge Factory Tour are $14 adults, $13 seniors, $10 for children, ages 3-12. Members are $10 adults, $9 seniors and $8.50 for children, ages 3-12. Children under 2 are free. Advance purchase tickets are recommended. For ticket information call (313) 982-6001 or go online at http://www.thehenryford.org/ .
Annual memberships start at $39 and include unlimited admission to Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village and discounts to the Ford Rouge Factory Tour.
Plan your next vacation by logging onto http://www.historyvacations.com/ , where you will find complete vacation packages to The Henry Ford.
The Henry Ford, located in Dearborn, Michigan was founded in 1929 by automotive pioneer Henry Ford. This history destination includes Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village, The Henry Ford IMAX Theatre, The Benson Ford Research Center and The Ford Rouge Factory Tour. The Henry Ford, America's Greatest History Attraction, is the history destination that brings the American experience to life. For more information please visit our website http://www.thehenryford.org/ .
