The Ford Motor Company in association with The Henry Ford - formerly known as The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village - has recommenced plant tours at its Rouge, Illinois, factory.

The Ford Rouge Factory Tour will reopen next year, for the first time in nearly 25 years, with a new state of the art presentation venue. This will offer two multi-screen theatres, detailing the history of the plant and its people and a providing a multi-sensory experience of the manufacturing process; numerous touch-screen interpretive displays and an 80ft high observation deck overlooking what is said to be the world's largest living roof.

The 10.4-acre roof', atop the Dearborn truck factory, is composed of a perennial ground cover called sedum, which reduces rainwater runoff and helps to insulate the building. It is one of a number of environmental initiatives at the centre, which have resulted in it being designated a wildlife habitat by the Wildlife Habitat Council. Visitors to the plant will also be able to watch the construction of the new Ford F-150 pickup truck - an experience supported by hands-on interpretive positions - and examine a range of vehicles built at the plant over the years.

The first building on the Rouge site opened in 1918 to build Eagle Boats for the US Navy. The first land vehicle to be erected was the Fordson tractor in 1920. From 1927 until 1931 the Rouge plant was used for the exclusive production of the Model A car. Other well known vehicles to have been produced there include the Thunderbird - from 1954 to 1957 - and the Mustang, from 1964 to the present.

Steve Hamp, president of The Henry Ford, said: We are delighted to be able to bring Detroiters and our global visitors back to the Rouge with a new world-class attraction for our community and the industry. This will be a brand new tour, an experience unlike anyone has ever seen.The project is being created and produced for Ford by BRC Imagination Arts under the direction of The Henry Ford. Details: www.hfmgv.org/rouge