The Economy

Ford Unveils Major Expansion Plan for Michigan Plants

Oct. 27, 2010

Automaker will invest $850 million to make new fuel-efficient vehicles at several facilities in the Wolverine State.

Ford Motor Co. earlier this week announced plans to invest $850 million in its Michigan operations between 2011 and 2013 to manufacture an expanded line of fuel-efficient vehicles.

The investment will create up to 1,200 new full-time positions in manufacturing and engineering operations in Michigan by 2013, according to the automaker. The expansion also will help Ford retain 28,000 full-time jobs, according to Gov. Jennifer Granholm's office.

Ford's president of The Americas, Mark Fields, addresses employees and visiting guests at the company's Van Dyke Transmission Plant in Sterling Heights, Mich., to announce Ford's commitment to invest $850 million and add 1,200 new jobs in its manufacturing and engineering operations in the state between 2011 and 2013."Fuel economy and technology are consumers' biggest priorities -- and we have made them Ford's as well," said Mark Fields, Ford's president of The Americas. "We are pleased to work with state and local government leaders to find new ways to work together, invest in our people as well as Ford facilities, further improve our competitiveness and secure jobs in Michigan." Ford will allocate the investment across a variety of its Michigan facilities, including its Van Dyke Transmission, Sterling Axle, Livonia Transmission and Dearborn Truck plants. The company expects approximately 900 jobs to be hourly positions in its Michigan manufacturing facilities and the remaining 300 to be salaried positions within its engineering and manufacturing operations. Ford is making the Michigan investment commitment after working with officials on a new Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) package that replaces several existing state incentives. Based on the Michigan Economic Development Corp.'s recommendation, the MEGA board Tuesday approved a state tax credit valued at $909 million over 15 years to encourage Ford to expand in Michigan over competing sites in India, South Africa, Europe and Asia. "We applaud the State of Michigan's leadership in finding innovative solutions aimed at making both the state and Ford more competitive," Fields said. "Promoting investments in technologies, facilities and our workforce ultimately will help revitalize manufacturing in Michigan and help Ford compete with the best in the business worldwide."

About the Author

Josh Cable | Former Senior Editor

Former Senior Editor Josh Cable covered innovation issues -- including trends and best practices in R&D, process improvement and product development. He also reported on the best practices of the most successful companies and executives in the world of transportation manufacturing, which encompasses the aerospace, automotive, rail and shipbuilding sectors.

Josh also led the IndustryWeek Manufacturing Hall of Fame, IW’s annual tribute to the most influential executives and thought leaders in U.S. manufacturing history.

Before joining IndustryWeek, Josh was the editor-in-chief of Penton Media’s Government Product News and Government Procurement. He also was an award-winning beat reporter for several small newspapers in Northeast Ohio.

Josh received his BFA in creative writing from Bowling Green University, and continued his professional development through course-work at Ohio University and Cuyahoga Community College.

A lifelong resident of the Buckeye State, Josh currently lives in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland. When the weather cooperates, you’ll find him riding his bike to work, exercising his green thumb in the backyard or playing ultimate Frisbee.