Ford to Invest $400 Million in Kansas City Assembly Plant

Ford Motor Co. said it will invest $400 million in its Kansas City Assembly Plant to install a new body shop, retool the facility and make other upgrades.

The automaker, which is shifting production of the Ford Escape to its Louisville Assembly Plant, said it will build a new vehicle at the facility after the upgrades are complete.

The investment will help retain the plant's 3,750 full-time jobs, including the positions required to assemble the Ford F-150, which will continue to be built at the facility on a separate line, according to Ford.

"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."

The Kansas City plant is the fourth North American facility that Ford is retooling for production of new vehicles. The automaker said it will announce the vehicle planned for the plant at a later date.

Ford noted that it 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 that create new jobs in the state.