DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford is announcing plans to invest $11.4 billion to build facilities to produce electric vehicles and advanced batteries. The investment is expected to generate 11,000 new jobs.
“This is a transformative moment where Ford will lead America’s transition to electric vehicles and usher in a new era of clean, carbon-neutral manufacturing,” said Ford Executive Chair Bill Ford in a news release. “With this investment and a spirit of innovation, we can achieve goals once thought mutually exclusive – protect our planet, build great electric vehicles Americans will love and contribute to our nation’s prosperity.”
The first facility will be known as Blue Oval City, which will be constructed on nearly 6-square-miles near Stanton, Tennessee. Billed as "the largest, most advanced, most efficient auto production complex in its 118-year history," the complex will employ 6,000 people and build the next generation of electric F-Series trucks and advanced batteries.
The second facility will be a BlueOvalSK Battery Park built near Glendale, Kentucky. That facility will employ 5,000 people at twin battery plants that will power Ford and Lincoln EVs, according to the company. It is a joint venture between Ford and SK Innovation.
The three battery plants across the two complexes will enable 129-gigawatt hours a year of US production capacity for Ford.
Production at the facilities is expected to begin in 2025.
“This is our moment – our biggest investment ever – to help build a better future for America,” said Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO in a news release. “We are moving now to deliver breakthrough electric vehicles for the many rather than the few. It’s about creating good jobs that support American families, an ultra-efficient, carbon-neutral manufacturing system, and a growing business that delivers value for communities, dealers and shareholders.”
UAW International President Ray Curry issued the following statement about the Ford announcement:
Today’s announcement will produce about 11,000 combined quality jobs. The UAW looks forward to continuing our long-time partnership with Ford as consumers transition to make Electric Vehicles in the right way. The UAW has always taken a lead in manufacturing innovation with our employer partners. We look forward to reaching out and helping develop this new workforce to build these world class vehicles and battery components.
This story was originally published by staff at WXYZ.