Mayor says investment a tribute to quality local workers
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Jan. 30, 2014) — Ford Motor Co. will add 350 new jobs and make an $80 million investment to the Kentucky Truck Plant to meet the high demand for F-Series Super Duty trucks.
The $80 million investment for the Kentucky Truck Plant will pay for facility upgrades, retooling and capacity uplift to meet market demand. The investment and 350 new employment opportunities are estimated to result in a 13-percent increase in production.
The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority amended its ongoing incentive agreement with Ford today. Cabinet for Economic Development officials indicate that today’s $80 million announcement is the first of what they hope will be an additional $800 million investment by Ford in the Kentucky Truck Plant.
“The customer demand for F-Series Super Duty trucks is growing substantially, and F-Series overall is America’s best-selling truck for 37 years running,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford’s president of The Americas. “Building on more than 100 years of manufacturing in Kentucky, we are proud to expand our profitable growth in the region as a result of our leadership in trucks and SUVs.”
“This additional investment and the creation of new jobs is a further endorsement of the outstanding men and women working at the truck plant and of the quality our entire local workforce,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. “It also reinforces our commitment and strategy for growing even more jobs in advanced manufacturing through our regional BEAM partnership.”
Kentucky Truck Plant
The Kentucky Truck Plant produces the F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 Super Duty pickups, as well as the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator.
Ford began manufacturing vehicles in Kentucky in 1913 with 11 employees. The Kentucky Truck Plant is an extension of those first years, opening in 1969. The facility is 6 million square feet in size and employs more than 3,000 people.
Last year, during the 100-year anniversary of Ford’s manufacturing operations in Kentucky, the 500,000th Ford-designed 6.7 Power Stroke Super Duty was built in the plant.
Ford F-Series Super Duty
The 2015 Ford F-Series Super Duty lineup is an example of the Blue Oval’s dedication to continuously providing advanced powertrains and innovative technologies that answer the demands of the customer. Ford owns work, providing the power, toughness and durability that make Ford the top truck brand choice for customers in every major commercial sector.
The new 2015 Super Duty is Ford’s most capable heavy duty truck yet, with significant updates including the second-generation 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel featuring new larger turbo, as well as multiple mechanical changes for increased torque, horsepower and towing capacity, while giving superior fuel economy and durability for customers.
Celebrating its 65th anniversary last year, the Ford F-Series topped 750,000 retail sales in 2013, with more than 70,000 being sold in December after eight straight months of sales going above 60,000. On average, a single F-Series pickup was sold every 42 seconds last year.
“The F-Series continues to surpass the segment, widening the gap between Ford and key competitors,” said Doug Scott, Ford truck group marketing manager. “The continued domination of F-Series has made the Blue Oval not just the industry leader for trucks, but America’s favorite truck manufacturer.”
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