After using Ford as an example of how US companies are embarrassing themselves, Ford has decided that Trump was right. They are cancelling their Mexico plant. Now, lets be honest…Its doubtful that Ford was swayed philosophically or that they ONLY wanted to be patriotic. Its very likely that they’ve seen the massive increase in the stock makert, the reinvestment of foreign companies into the US Economy, and the massive support and popularity that Trump has. This all will end up earning them more domestic sales and can therefor be justified as a smart business decision and a Public Relations boon. Well done Ford! Welcome aboard the Trump Train!
CNN.com – Ford is canceling plans to build a new plant in Mexico. It will invest $700 million in Michigan instead, creating 700 new U.S. jobs.
Ford (F) CEO Mark Fields said the investment is a “vote of confidence” in the pro-business environment president-elect Donald Trump is creating. However, he stressed Ford did not do any sort of special deal with Trump.
“We didn’t cut a deal with Trump. We did it for our business,” Fields told CNN’s Poppy Harlow in an exclusive interview Tuesday. He said Ford did speak with Trump and vice-president elect Mike Pence this morning.
The $700 million investment will go to the Flat Rock, Michigan plant to produce more electric and self-driving cars. Ford believes electric vehicles will outsell gasoline-powered vehicles within the next 15 years.
“I am thrilled that we have been able to secure additional UAW-Ford jobs for American workers,” said Jimmy Settles, United Auto Workers vice president.
Ford is planning to roll out seven new electric vehicles in the next five years, including a Mustang Hybrid.
Related: Sprint will create 5,000 U.S. jobsThe news is a major U-turn for Ford. Last year, the company announced it would invest $1.6 billion in Mexico to transfer the production of the Ford Focus from Michigan to Mexico to save costs. Now the Focus will be built at an existing plant in Hermosillo, Mexico, and Ford will expand its plant in Flat Rock.
“Our announcements today are really a vote of confidence in the [U.S.] economy,” said Fields.Trump repeatedly slammed Ford on the campaign trail, claiming the company was moving good manufacturing jobs to Mexico. He vowed to slap a 35% tariff on Ford vehicles made in Mexico and sold in the U.S.
Ford fought back against Trump’s rhetoric, saying he had his facts wrong and that the company never planned to cut any U.S. jobs.
Ford currently employs 85,000 Americans, up 28,000, or nearly 50%, in just the last five years. In Mexico, Ford employs 8,800.
Image Source: myfreshnews.com
