Ford Motor Company announced this week that $1 billion would be invested into Chicago assembly and stamping plants in anticipation of three new SUV production lines.
In the process of readying themselves for the 2020 Ford Explorer, Police Interceptor Utility and Lincoln Aviator, Ford expects 500 jobs will be added to expand capacity. Space will also be made more accommodating to these new employees, with $40 million put toward things like parking lot security upgrades, new LED lighting, and cafeteria updates. Other funds will be put toward manufacturing technologies and new workforce training.
The bulk of the funds, however, will be directed toward a new body shop and paint shop, as well as modifications to the final assembly area. All new stamping lines, an inspections robot and 3D printed tools all factor in as well.
The upgrades will begin in March with completion expected this spring.
“As Chicago continues to strengthen our diverse economy, Ford’s commitment to add 500 jobs and infuse nearly a billion dollars into their Southeast Side assembly plant is a vote of confidence in our people and our future,” Mayor Rahm Emanuel said. “The assembly plant is a local and regional economic engine where iconic American brands like the Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer are built. This investment is a testament to the strength and vibrancy of Chicago’s manufacturing sector, and I look forward to Ford’s presence in our city for generations to come.”
For the vehicle work, the investment brings big changes to some American staples. Ford is touting a sizeable redesign of its Ford Explorer for the latest model, making it lighter, leaner and stronger. The new Police Interceptor is projected to save police departments somewhere between $3,500 and $5,700 on fuel costs, while the 2020 Lincoln Aviator boasts the combination of a V6 engine with hybrid-electric technology.