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Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub |
ScottBolthouse@HuronHub.com
Published March 20, 2019 — 4 p.m. EST

Ford Motor Co. announced Wednesday that it is investing $900 million in its southeast Michigan manufacturing footprint with a plan to add 900 new jobs through 2023.

This includes a plan to expand production at Flat Rock Assembly Plant, which includes next-generation fully electric vehicle production, and a target to invest more than $850 million through 2023.

A second shift will be added to the Flat Rock plant to boost production.

Southeast Michigan workers will make Ford’s first autonomous vehicles starting in 2021, according to the auto company.

Ford says it plans to invest in an autonomous vehicle center where employees will install the vehicles’ self-driving technology and unique interiors.

State Rep. Darrin Camilleri said the announcement is great news for southeast Michigan and the Downriver area.

“Ford’s investment not only in next-generation vehicle technology but in good-paying union jobs in our Downriver community for years to come is great news. Especially following January’s announcement to cut a shift at Flat Rock Assembly, the news that this plant will be the primary center for battery electric vehicle production in the country is a huge step in the right direction. This renewed investment in our community represents an important opportunity for Downriver families and for the future of our region, and I look forward to seeing the good it will do for our local economy,” Camilleri said.

Read Ford’s full announcement here

UAW President Rory Gamble said in a statement that Ford’s investment represents a step forward for the auto industry that will greatly benefit the region.

“Ford’s $900 million in investments, most of which is in the Flat Rock facility, sets up the downriver Detroit facility to be the center of electric vehicles for years to come. As we transition to new technology and future products, Flat Rock through this investment, is well positioned to be a world leader for decades to come in auto industry technology and production,” Gamble said.

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