Ford to add 7,000 workers within next two years

Ford says that it will add more than 7,000 workers in the U.S. over the next two years as it begins to produce several new models. 4,000 workers will be hired this year, with almost half going directly to the Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky, where the new Ford Escape will be manufactured later this year. The plant expects to see 2,500 new manufacturing jobs in 2012.

“Ford is committed to American manufacturing, and we are on a path to add more than 7,000 American workers over the next two years as we continue to grow our product lineup,” said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. “Working with our partners, including the UAW, Ford is finding competitive ways to engineer and build even more high-quality, fuel-efficient vehicles with technologies American consumers really want.”

As it is a big part of the company’s identity now, Ford will also be hiring 750 engineers with expertise in batteries and other pertinent areas, for the development of electronic vehicles. A recruiting effort will be spearheaded in Detroit and eight other US cities starting this week.

Three future electric and hybrid vehicles were announced by Ford today at the NAIAS in Detroit, including an electric version of the Ford Focus.

– By: Stephen Calogera