Ford announced a $900 million investment in the
Kentucky Truck Plant which will secure 1,000 hourly jobs in Louisville. A news
release announcing the expansion says the Expedition and Navigator will be
exported to more than 55 markets around the world, with exports of the
Navigator to China. "This $900 million investment demonstrates that Ford
is being successful in Kentucky and that Kentucky is attentive to the needs of
business". This means that all North American Focus production will cease
with the next generation of the auto, but American jobs will remain secure at
the MI plant.
The announcement comes just two years after
Ford announced a $1.3 billion investment and added 2,000 jobs. "At the
same time, we also have looked at how we can be more successful in the small
auto segment and deliver even more choices for customers in a way that makes
business sense".
Production begins in the second half of 2019,
with models coming from the company's existing Focus plants globally.
No U.S. hourly employees will be out of a job
tied to the new manufacturing plan for Focus. The Michigan plant that now
produces Focus cars will start pumping out Ranger trucks and Bronco SUVs.
"This manufacturing plan allows the
company to further grow its leadership as an exporter and deliver world-class
Focus to North American customers in a way that makes business sense - with no
US employees out of a job", Ford said in a statement.
Ford Motor Company is a global company based in
Dearborn, Michigan. These trucks will be not only sold in the USA, but also
exported to 55 countries
