More than $2 billion will be invested in Ford facilities to strengthen the company’s electric vehicle production and create new jobs.
According to a news release by the Office of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the announcement was made at the Mackinac Policy Conference by Whitmer, Ford chief policy officer and general counsel Steven Croley, along with municipal and state leaders.
“Ford is committed to leading the electric vehicle revolution and strengthening our portfolio of iconic vehicles that customers love," said Kumar Galhotra, president of Ford Blue. "That’s why we’re announcing historic investments in our home state of Michigan, creating thousands of high-quality union jobs to expand production of the all-new F-150 Lightning as well as the next generation global Mustang and Ranger for the U.S. market.”
Galhotra added that Ford was proud to employ more union auto workers in the U.S. than any other auto manufacturer and looked forward to adding to its workforce.
“We are thrilled that Ford is advancing its long legacy in Michigan by investing $2 billion to create 3,200 good-paying UAW jobs,” Whitmer said. “[This] announcement marks another historic economic win for the state in recent months and will help our economy grow even stronger. 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," she said. "Let’s continue in this spirit of collaboration to keep growing our economy, creating jobs and advancing the future of mobility and electrification.”
The investment will facilitate more than 3,200 well-paying jobs Ford’s electric vehicle endeavors while also strengthening the company's traditional combustion engine vehicle in the state, according to the governor’s office.
“Michigan, thanks in large part to Ford, has put the world on wheels for decades, and we intend to keep doing so for decades to come," said Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake). "Regardless of party we’re all committed to doing whatever it takes to keep our title as the car capital of the world.”
The release reports that Ford has invested more than $10 billion in its facilities since 2016, with most of it earmarked for electric vehicle production that will create 10,000 jobs.