Ford has decided to build and import its next generation of the Ford Focus from China instead of Mexico, the company announced Tuesday.
President Trump had bragged in speeches that he helped end a previous plan to move production of the Focus to Mexico, where the company was scheduled to build a $1.6 billion plant. Ford executives repeatedly said that decision had nothing to do with Trump.
“@DanScavino: Ford to scrap Mexico plant, invest in Michigan due to Trump policies”https://t.co/137nUo03Gl
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2017
The company also said it will invest $900 million in its Louisville, Ky., plant, where the company will produce new versions of the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator.
That move is expected to preserve 1,000 jobs.
“Finding a more cost-effective way to deliver the next Focus program in North America is a better plan, allowing us to redeploy the money we save into areas of growth for the company, especially sport utilities, commercial vehicles, performance vehicles as well as mobility, autonomous vehicles and electrified vehicles,” Joe Hinrichs, Ford’s executive vice president said in a statement.
Ford had originally planned to build the next-generation Focus at a new $1.6 billion plant in Mexico, but President Trump strongly opposed the move.
The company then canceled its plans and has since decided to shift production of the new Focus to China.
Production will start in 2019. The current version of the Focus is built at the Michigan Assembly Plant, and production will continue there through mid-2018.
