The money will be spent for engineering and manufacturing more fuel-efficient vehicles and fuel-saving technologies in the state in between 2011 and 2013. The efforts to create these technologies will translate into the creation of an extra 1,200 jobs by 2013, 900 of which will be hourly positions.
The facilities that will benefit from a portion of the money are Van Dyke Transmission, Sterling Axle, Livonia Transmission and Dearborn Truck Plant.
“Fuel economy and technology are consumers’ biggest priorities – and we have made them Ford’s as well,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas. “We are pleased to work with state and local government leaders to find new ways to work together, invest in our people as well as Ford facilities, further improve our competitiveness and secure jobs in Michigan.”
Ford decided to spend the money in Michigan after the state agreed to provide job retention tax incentives. The Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) package has been agreed upon, replacing several existing state incentives.
“We applaud the State of Michigan’s leadership in finding innovative solutions aimed at making both the state and Ford more competitive,” added Fields. “Promoting investments in technologies, facilities and our workforce ultimately will help revitalize manufacturing in Michigan and help Ford compete with the best in the business world-wide.”
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