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Ford commits to invest $400 million
Retains jobs in Kansas City to support new vehicle production
Ford commits to build a new vehicle at its Kansas City Assembly Plant in Missouri after
current model Ford Escape production moves to the company’s Louisville Assembly Plant and
retooling of the Kansas City facility is completed. Ford will invest $400 million in its Kansas City
facility to upgrade the plant and accommodate production of the new vehicle, while retaining
full-time employment of 3,750.
Based on the company’s commitment to this investment level and job retention, the state
of Missouri approved tax incentives that played a role in Ford’s decision
Kansas City Monday January 18th 2011 – Ford Motor Company today announced a
further commitment to U.S. manufacturing with plans to build a new vehicle at its Kansas City
Assembly Plant in Missouri after Ford Escape production moves to Ford’s Louisville Assembly
Plant and retooling of the Kansas City facility is complete.
Ford will invest $400 million in the Kansas City plant to install a new body shop, new
tooling and other upgrades. In addition, the company has committed to retain 3,750 full-time
jobs at the plant – consistent with current employment levels. This includes the positions
required to assemble the Ford F-150, which will continue to be built at the facility on a separate
line.
“This investment and promise of a new vehicle to be built in Kansas City reinforces
Ford’s commitment to U.S. manufacturing and American jobs,” said Mark Fields, Ford president
of The Americas. “Investing in our plants, products and people is critical to Ford’s ability to
compete with the best in the business. Ford is committed to doing everything it takes to work
with its partners, including the United Auto Workers, to remain competitive.”
Kansas City Assembly Plant is the fourth North American facility Ford is retooling for production of new vehicles that are at the heart of an increasingly balanced line up of cars, trucks and utilities. The new vehicle planned for the plant will be announced at a later date.
In planning to secure Ford’s future manufacturing presence in the state, Ford worked
closely with Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon and the Missouri State Legislature in passage of the 2010
Missouri Manufacturing Jobs Act. This legislation provides tax incentives for certified automotive
manufacturers that commit to new investments and job retention in Missouri and suppliers who
create new jobs in the state.
“Today’s announcement ensures that next-generation vehicles will be built right here in
Missouri, by the best workforce in the country,” said Nixon. “Last year, we came together to
pass the Missouri Manufacturing Jobs Act to help our state compete for the production jobs of
the future.
That hard work paid off. For thousands of employees at Ford’s Claycomo plant, and
thousands more at suppliers across Missouri, this news is a big win. We’ll be building the
vehicles of the future right here in the Show-Me State.”
Kansas City Assembly Plant opened in 1951 and has approximately 3,750 employees. It
currently produces the best-selling Ford F-150 on one shift and the award-winning Ford Escape
on three crews.

