550,000 Taurus and Sable models sold; for first time in 37 years Ford, beats Chevy; Ford reports highest profits in auto industry: $4.62 billion; Ford workers get largest bonus in industrial history; Ranger becomes best-selling compact truck
1985
Two-year, $240M TCAP modernization completed; Ford Ranger production begins; American companies start to shift production to Mexico, years before NAFTA
1984
New contract includes more job security, retraining
1983
Robots introduced at TCAP
1982
For first time in 20 years domestic car production drops below 6 million; nationally, 250,000 autoworkers out of work; imports’ market share rises to 27.9%; Ford loses $658M, pays no dividends; new UAW contract with profit-sharing; locally, Ford celebrates 70th year in Twin Cities
1980
Ford loses $1.7 billion; Chrysler loses $1.5 billion; Ford commits half its net worth to new Ford Taurus and plant modernizations
1979
UAW Local 879 and national UAW conduct work stoppage to write protest letters to Washington re: oil shortage; Ford loses $678M in third quarter; GM loses $300M; imports rise to 21.8% market share; Federal bailout given to Chrysler; 400 workers fired at TCAP, adding momentum to Unity Caucus, a dissident group; workers bring suit at National Labor Relations Board for labor violations
1978
TCAP converts to all-truck production, adds second shift
1977
TCAP running 10 hrs/day, 5 days/week; gas rises above .60/gallon.
1976
Nationwide Ford strike lasts one month; local mood is bitter. New labor agreement includes seven more days off; 4 millionth car made at TCAP; production increases by 20% despite strike: made 84,030 cars and 21,861 trucks