Ford Invests in Kentucky Plant to Build New Expedition, Navigator; Smart, Spacious New Focus for N.A. to be Globally Sourced
June 20 2017 - 9:00AM
Business Wire
- Ford is investing $900 million in
Kentucky Truck Plant, securing 1,000 U.S. hourly jobs to build
all-new Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator
- All-new Ford Expedition and Lincoln
Navigator to be exported to more than 55 markets globally –
including Navigator to China; the company is a top auto exporter in
the U.S.
- Exciting new Ford Focus on the way for
North American customers beginning in 2019 with more technology,
more space and a number of new Focus models. Next-generation Focus
for North America will be globally sourced primarily from China –
rather than Hermosillo, Mexico – with production starting in the
second half of 2019. Current model production ends in mid-2018
- 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 U.S. employees out of a job
- Ford is saving $1 billion in investment
costs versus its original Focus production plan, improving the
financial health of its Focus business and further improving
manufacturing scale in China – all helping create a more
operationally fit company
Ford today announced manufacturing actions centered on improving
the company’s operational fitness and building vehicles that excite
customers around the world.
Ford is investing $900 million in Kentucky Truck Plant for plant
upgrades to build the all-new Ford Expedition and Lincoln
Navigator, which begin arriving in dealerships this fall. Both
full-size SUVs will be exported to more than 55 markets globally –
including Navigator to China. Ford is a top auto exporter in the
U.S.
The $900 million investment secures 1,000 jobs for hourly
workers at the Louisville plant. This is in addition to the $1.3
billion investment and 2,000 jobs created at that plant in late
2015 to build the all-new Ford Super Duty. Kentucky Truck employs
nearly 7,600 full-time hourly workers – and Ford has more U.S.
hourly workers and builds more vehicles in the U.S. than any other
automaker.
“Large SUVs are attracting a new generation around the world –
and we’re finding new ways to deliver the capability, versatility
and technology that customers around the world really want with our
all-new Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator,” said Joe Hinrichs,
Ford executive vice president and president, Global Operations. “At
the same time, we also have looked at how we can be more successful
in the small car segment and deliver even more choices for
customers in a way that makes business sense.”
Ford’s next-generation Ford Focus will be more spacious and
packed with technology that customers want.
Production begins in the second half of 2019, with models coming
from the company’s existing Focus plants globally. Most new North
American Focus models initially will come from China, with
additional variants coming from Europe later.
No U.S. hourly employees will be out of a job tied to the new
manufacturing plan for Focus. Production of the current North
American Focus at the Michigan Assembly Plant continues through
mid-2018. Following that, the plant will be converted to produce
the Ranger midsize pickup truck in late 2018 and the Bronco midsize
SUV in 2020.
The new North America Focus production plan saves $1 billion in
investment costs versus the original plan – $500 million on top of
the $500 million savings announced earlier this year by cancelling
plans for an all-new manufacturing facility in San Luis Potosi,
Mexico, and moving Focus production to Ford’s Hermosillo, Mexico,
plant.
“Finding a more cost-effective way to deliver the next Focus
program in North America is a better plan, allowing us to redeploy
the money we save into areas of growth for the company – especially
sport utilities, commercial vehicles, performance vehicles as well
as mobility, autonomous vehicles and electrified vehicles,”
Hinrichs said.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn,
Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a
full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and
Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford
Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in
electrification, autonomous vehicles and mobility solutions. Ford
employs approximately 202,000 people worldwide. For more
information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit
Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
For news releases, related materials and
high-resolution photos and video, visit www.media.ford.com.
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Ford Motor CompanyKelli
Felker313.322.1790kfelker1@ford.com
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