Ford plans to invest nearly $4 billion in the Midwest for next-generation vehicle manufacturing

Ford Motor Company will be investing $3.7 billion in the coming years as it commits to investing in its Midwestern manufacturing capabilities and prepares for the launch of the net-generation Ford Mustang and Ranger in North America.

Last Thursday the company announced the massive financial commitment along with pledging to generate 6,2000 new United Auto Worker (UAW) union jobs, Newsweek reported.

In addition to the massive jobs announcement, Ford revealed that its new line of electric vehicles will begin to be produced at its Ohio based facilities in the mid-2020s. Ford, the country’s largest employer of hourly autoworkers, also plans to expand its Ohio manufacturing site to accommodate these new developments.

The cost of the company’s Ohio expansion will be around $1.5 billion. Once expansion of the Ohio facility is complete, 1,800 UAW union jobs will be installed.

In addition, Ford is planning to spend $100 million in investments in Lima Engine and Sharonville Transmission plants which is estimated to create an additional 90 jobs.

The company also confirmed that the state of Michigan will continue to be the homebase for the Ford Mustang and Ranger as both models move into their next generation of production.

Ford’s Michigan assembly plant in the city of Wayne will continue to constructing the Ranger while the Mustang coupe will be manufactured at the company’s assembly plant in Flat Rock.

These Michigan based manufacturing hubs, in addition to Ford’s Route Electric Vehicle center in Dearborn, account for $2 billion of the company’s Midwest investment. These Michigan based initiatives are expected to create 3,200 jobs.

Ford is also expected to construct a new Ford Customer Service Division packaging facility in Monroe, Michigan that will cost $35 million and is expected to generate 600 UAW union jobs. This facility is expected to open in 2024.

In a press release, Michigan’s Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “We are thrilled that Ford is advancing its long legacy in Michigan by investing $2 billion to create 3,200 good-paying UAW jobs.”

She continued, “I am proud that we came together to deliver economic development legislation that has helped us land huge projects creating thousands of jobs. With this announcement, Michigan has added nearly 25,000 auto jobs since I took office, and we continue to lead the future of mobility and electrification. Let's continue in this spirit of collaboration to keep growing our economy, creating jobs, and advancing the future of mobility and electrification.”