KANSAS CITY, Mo. -
In some good news for the manufacturing sector of a Midwestern state, Ford said Tuesday it will be pumping $400 million into mass enhancements for its Kansas City Assembly Plant and will bring a new vehicle to be produced at the Missouri factory.
The new vehicle will come in for production once Ford had transferred Ford Escape production to its Louisville Assembly Plant  in Kentucky and wrapped up renovations in Kansas City.
The renovation will include the launch of a new body shop and new tooling, as well as other enhancements. Ford stressed that 3,750 full-time jobs will remain at the factory, which it said reflects the current number of positions there.
Among those jobs will be positions for Ford F-150 assembly. Ford already builds that model at the plant, but there will be a separate line for production of the truck.
“This investment and promise of a new vehicle to be built in Kansas City reinforces Ford’s commitment to U.S. manufacturing and American jobs,” stated Mark Fields, the automaker’s president of the Americas.
“Investing in our plants, products and people is critical to Ford’s ability to compete with the best in the business,” Fields added. “Ford is committed to doing everything it takes to work with its partners, including the United Auto Workers, to remain competitive.”
Ford said it collaborated with Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon and state lawmakers as the 2010 Missouri Manufacturing Jobs Act was passed.
The new law is beneficial to Ford, as “certified automotive manufacturers” receive tax incentives for new investments and helping to keep jobs within the "Show-Me State." As part of the act, tax incentives are also doled out to suppliers for bringing new jobs to Missouri.
“Today’s announcement ensures that next-generation vehicles will be built right here in Missouri, by the best workforce in the country,” Nixon stated.
“Last year, we came together to pass the Missouri Manufacturing Jobs Act to help our state compete for the production jobs of the future,” he continued. “That hard work paid off. For thousands of employees at Ford’s Claycomo plant, and thousands more at suppliers across Missouri, this news is a big win.
“We’ll be building the vehicles of the future right here in the Show-Me State,” Nixon concluded.