Ford adding thousands of jobs around Detroit, investing $1.45B

Ford announced its plans Tuesday to create 3,000 jobs and invest $1.45 billion in two southeast Michigan facilities.

The U.S. car company said it would provide $750 million and 2,700 jobs within the next three years at a facility in Wayne, Mich., and $700 million and 300 jobs at a site in Dearborn, Mich., according to a release. 

The investment at the Wayne facility will go toward constructing the Ford Bronco, a new Ford Ranger and a new modification center for autonomous vehicles, the first of its kind. Ford’s autonomous vehicles are expected to be finished in 2021, according to the statement.

At the Dearborn facility, the money will be directed to creating the Ford F-150, F-150 hybrid and the all-electric F-150. 

“At Ford, we are investing aggressively in building on our strengths today – including trucks and SUVs – while at the same time expanding our leadership into electric and autonomous vehicles,” Ford’s President of Automotive Joe Hinrichs said in the statement. “As America’s No. 1 producer of automobiles, we are proud of our commitment to invest in manufacturing here in Michigan.”

Ford committed to a deal with the United Automobile Workers (UAW) earlier this year to invest $6 billion in U.S. factories and add or retain 8,500 jobs.

“The UAW is proud of Ford’s commitment to manufacturing in the United States and in Michigan,” UAW President Rory Gamble said in Ford’s statement. “This is a direct result of the 2019 collective bargaining process, providing additional jobs – and job security – for UAW members in Southeast Michigan.”

The UAW went on strike against General Motors earlier this year to demand higher wages and better benefits. UAW and GM eventually agreed to a contract that included an $11,000 per member signing bonus, performance bonuses and two 3 percent annual raises.