The factory began operations in 1955, and was closed in 1980. It was one of three manufacturing facilities in New Jersey. It was built two years after the
Edison Assembly plant opened and would eventually replace the
Ford Motor Company Edgewater Assembly Plant which closed in 1955. Mahwah Assembly produced 6 million cars in the 25 years it operated before the last car rolled off the line on June 20, 1980. At the time of its completion, it was the largest motor vehicle assembly plant in the United States. The Ford plant, along with other businesses such as American Brake Shoe and Foundry Company, helped contribute to the economic development of the town and its reputation for low home property taxes. The Mahwah town sports teams remain named
Thunderbirds in honor of the Ford plant. A portion of the plant site was the U.S. headquarters of
Sharp Corporation, and subsequently became home to the US Headquarters of
Jaguar Land Rover and
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