Ford invests $400 million in Chicago plant to build new Explorer
By Andrew C., 30 Aug, 2010. 0 Comments
Ford Motor Co.‚ plan to build the next version of its Ford Explorer SUV in Chicago starting in late 2010 would create 1,200 jobs. Some of these jobs will be hires at a new lower wage negotiated with its union.
Ford has $400 million to spend for the plan, which includes adding a second production shift at its Chicago assembly plant and increasing production at a stamping plant in nearby Chicago Heights for the Explorer, which currently is produced at a plant in Kentucky. Production of the new Explorer SUV will start in the fourth quarter of 2010. The investment includes about $180 million for manufacturing at the Chicago-area plants and $220 million for launch and engineering costs. The Explorer project is supported by $5.9 billion in US Energy Department loans that Ford received last year to retool plants and build more fuel-efficient vehicles. Ford builds the Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS sedans at the Chicago plant, where about 1,200 UAW-represented employees work a single shift.
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