Ford Chicago Plants: What Does A $1 Billion Investment Mean?

Ford has plans in the works to invest $1 billion into its manufacturing operations in Chicago. The investment will increase the production of its Ford and Lincoln-branded SUVs as well as add 500 new jobs to the city.

The expansion plans will occur at two Chicago Assembly and Stamping plants and will be a precursor to three new SUVs that will go on sale later in 2019.

Expansion plans are slated for March to increase capacity for the Ford Explorer ST and Explorer Hybrid, a new Police Interceptor Utility vehicle, and a new Lincoln Aviator model. Completion of the expansion is expected to occur this spring.

The overhaul of the plants will include a new body and paint shop at the Assembly plant with additional modifications made to the final assembly areas. The Stamping plant will receive new lines to prepare for the onset of the 2020 Ford Explorer. Police Inceptor, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. Technology upgrades will also be made including new collaborative robotics and 3D printed tools.

Additional improvements will be made to the tune of $40 million to enhance employee work environments including new LED lighting and security upgrades.

A total of 500 new jobs will be added to the two Chicago plants, bringing the total capacity to 5,800 workers.

“We are proud to be America’s top producer of automobiles,” Joe Hinrichs, President of Global Operations at Ford, said. “Today, we are furthering our commitment to America with this billion dollar manufacturing investment in Chicago and 500 more good-paying jobs. We reinvented the Explorer from the ground up, and this investment will further strengthen Ford’s SUV market leadership.”

The expansion plans from Ford come as the company announced an overhaul of its European operations with an $11 billion restructuring plan that also meant thousands of job cuts. Ford also recently partnered with Volkswagen to develop and build electric and autonomous vehicles as well as medium-duty pickup trucks and commercial vans.

According to Ford, nearly 2.4 million vehicles were built by the company in 2018.