KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Assembly Plant announced Thursday morning Ford plans to invest $95 million, creating 1,100 union jobs for a third shift in Kansas City.
With the investment comes the intention to increase production of the Transit as well as the E-Transit EV.
“This is part of a $3.7 billion investment across the Midwest to support Ford’s strategy to produce 2 million EVs a year globally by the end of 2026 through Ford Model e while simultaneously strengthening the company’s Ford Blue portfolio of iconic gas-powered vehicles,” according to a Ford news release.
Along with Missouri, Ford reports Michigan and Ohio are included in the $3.7 billion investment across the Midwest. In total, the three areas will create more than 6,200 manufacturing jobs, which are expected to create about 74,000 indirect jobs by 2026.
In a statement concerning the status of manufacturing progress, President Joe Biden said Thursday Ford's investment is "great news for American workers."
Ford's Americas Manufacturing and Labor Affairs Vice President John Savona tells KSHB 41 News the new jobs will also provide current employees opportunities to work within different shifts or areas of the plant.
"These jobs are really good jobs, really good-paying union jobs inside the Kansas City Assembly Plant, and we want to make sure we're doing everything we can to attract the best talent at Ford," Savona said.
Savona says most of the investment will go toward retooling and facilities, and with the hiring process just kicking off, more information will be available to share "later this year."
The Kansas City Assembly Plant is currently home to more than 7,000 employees.
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