'It’s sad': piece of Ford City’s namesake up for sale

The Windsor Engine Plant at 1000 Henry Ford Centre Drive is up for sale in Windsor, Ont., on Monday, Sept. 27, 2021. Michelle Maluske/CTV Windsor

Windsor, Ont. -

The Windsor Engine Plant has been listed by sale by the Ford Motor Company, according to union officials.

John D’Agnolo, president of Local 200 says the company advised them last week, the factory at 1000 Henry Ford Centre Drive was going up for sale.

“I grew up in the plant,” says D’Agnolo. “That’s where I was first elected (to Canadian Auto Workers union) and I went up the ranks through that site.”

The original part of the Windsor Engine plant made 5.4 and 6.8 litre engines up until it closed in late 2018, according to D’Agnolo.

D’Agnolo says the company advised the union about the sale beforehand.

“They (Ford Motor Co.) thought it was important they communicate with the membership and they did that prior to (the listing going up), which is a good thing,” says D’Agnolo.

D’Agnolo says the company wouldn’t divulge the asking price for the factory and the listing doesn’t come up on a search online.

“It’s sad, but at the same time, I’m hoping there’s a buyer that comes in, puts a lot of investment into it (the facility) and creates a lot of jobs for our community,” says D’Agnolo.

The other part of the Windsor Engine plant, called The Annex, is not part of the sale.

That factory, which is on Seminole Street, is where the company’s 7.3 litre is built, for larger vehicles like buses, F250 pickup trucks and motor homes, according to D’Agnolo.

“It’s their bread and butter,” says D’Agnolo.

The Essex Engine Plant off Lauzon Parkway makes the 5-litre engines for F150 pickup trucks.

Company officials have not yet responded to our request for comment.