2010 Detroit: Ford’s electric vehicle program will bring 1,000 jobs to Metro Detroit

In a second press conference at the North American International Auto Show yesterday afternoon, Ford announced a supplemental investment of $450 million in its electric vehicle program, whereby a next-generation hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicle will be produced in Michigan. This comes in addition to the $550 million already invested to convert Ford’s assembly plant in Wayne, Michigan from a large SUV factory to a car plant to build the all-new Focus, staring in ’10. Starting in 2011, the plant will also be putting out the Focus Electric.

The plant in Wayne, will produce hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and full battery electric vehicles – all to be built using Ford’s new global C-car platform. “This investment underscores how serious we are about delivering a range of electrified vehicles to customers — including hybrids, plug-in hybrids and pure electric vehicles,” said Bill Ford, Jr., executive chairman of the company that bears his family name. “Our industry is at the intersection of three critical global issues — the economy, energy and the environment. The winning companies will be those that address these issues with vehicles that are also exciting and fun to drive, without compromises.”

Ford was granted $188 million in tax incentives from the State of Michigan for this project which will add approximately 1,000 jobs to the state, and relocate the production site of battery packs from Mexico to a location in Michigan that has yet to be announced.

-By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Detroit News