Ford celebrates 100 years of production at Rouge plant

DEARBORN, Mich. (WJBK) - Ford Motor Company celebrated a major milestone in Deaborn, Michigan on Thursday. Its Rouge plant has been producing cars for 100 years now.

They have been planning this big celebratory event for months now, going as far as contacting various car clubs so they could show the history of the various vehicle made at the plant - including a Model A dating back to the 1920s.

The Rouge complex is America's longest continuously operating auto plant and that, of course, would not be possible without the countless employees who have worked here over the last century.

As a sign of appreciation the complex's current employees were treated to an impressive drone light show, a first of its kind in Michigan with some 100 different drones taking part to create  symbols and pictures to highlight the company's achievements. It was followed by a celebration of the past, present and future on this stage that included comments with auto executives and even someone who has worked here for more than 60 years.

The complex has survived two world wars and 18 recessions we are told. They really have done it all here. They have made eagle boats, tank engines, tractors and what's become the country's best selling truck: the F-150.

"As a historian for Ford Motor Company, when I look at the Rouge and think about its place in the world, to me the only other things that are comparable is the Hoover Dam, or it's the pyramids of the 21st Century; this way of working in a smart efficient manner to produce cars for the masses - that's what Ford does," says Ted Ryan.

We're told the F-150 has outsold others in the market for 41 years now, with one rolling off the line at the rouge complex every 53 seconds. The complex really has truly stood the test of time and there is no telling where it will go from here.