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Ford Announces $1 Billion Investment in Chicago Plant during the 2019 Chicago Auto Show Media Preview

Ford Announces $1 Billion Investment in Chicago Plant during the 2019 Chicago Auto Show Media Preview

MEDIA INFORMATION
Contact: Mark Bilek
Senior Director of Communications and Technology
Chicago Automobile Trade Association
Office: (630) 424-6082
Cell: (847) 652-0632
Email: mbilek@drivechicago.com

Contact: Jennifer Morand
Director of Public Relations and Social Media
Chicago Automobile Trade Association
Office: (630) 424-6084
Cell: (630) 391-1986
Email: jmorand@drivechicago.com


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ford Announces $1 Billion Investment in Chicago Plant during the 2019 Chicago Auto Show Media Preview

CHICAGO (Feb. 7, 2019) – Ford announced a $1 billion investment in its Chicago assembly plant during the 2019 Chicago Auto Show Media Preview on Feb. 7. Mayor Rahm Emanuel of Chicago joined Ford Executive Vice President and President Joe Hinrichs in making the announcement, which will include plant upgrades and an additional 500 jobs.

“Today, we are proud to announce that Ford is investing $1 billion to upgrading our two Chicago plants,” said Hinrichs. “The all-new Explorer and the all-new Police Interceptor Utility are built at the Chicago assembly plant with body parts straight out of Chicago’s stamping plant. All of this is to support production of these vehicles. This investment will transform these plants, so our great team of employees, some of which are here, can build the all-new Ford Explorer, the all-new Police Interceptor Utility and the all-new Lincoln Aviator. With this investment comes 500 new jobs on the southside of Chicago. When it’s all finished, Chicago assembly will have an all-new state-of-the-art body shop, paint shop and tooling to build this lineup.”

The $1 billion investment extends beyond the assembly line as Ford invests $40 million to improve employee work environment in addition to the plant upgrade. Work environment upgrades include new LED lighting, increased security, a renovated cafeteria and new team break areas on the plant floor.

Hinrichs added, “Ford is making these adjustments because it believes in American manufacturing and good paying middle-class jobs as Ford builds more vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker.”

Diving into Ford’s product focus, consumers can expect the following: Ford Explorer, Ford Explorer ST, Ford Explorer Hybrid, Ford Police Interceptor Utility and Lincoln Aviator.

The 2020 Ford Explorer lineup will all be produced that the Chicago Assembly plant.

  • Ford Explorer features: lighter, leaner and stronger construction, broad model lineup, powerful and efficient EcoBoost engines and smart new technology.
  • Ford Explorer ST: the most powerful Explorer ever and newest SUV from Ford Performance. Features a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 EcoBoost engine putting out 400 horsepower and 415 lb.-ft. of torque with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Sport mode alters the shift mapping and throttle response for maximum acceleration up to ST's 143-mph top speed.
  • Ford Explorer Hybrid: projected to return an EPA estimated range of more than 500 miles between fill ups in the rear-view drive version. The Explorer Hybrid SUV sports 318 horsepower courtesy of a 3.3-liter V6 engine and an electric motor built into the 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel-drive is standard, although all-wheel-drive is an optional extra.
  • All-new Police Interceptor Utility Hybrid: as nearly two-thirds of police vehicles sales in the U.S., the 2017, Ford Police Interceptor Utility alone accounted for more than half of all police vehicle sales in the U.S. The standard hybrid all-wheel-drive powertrain has a projected EPA-estimated rating of 24 mpg combined.
  • All-new 2020 Lincoln Aviator: produced at the Chicago Assembly plant, the Aviator includes advanced technology such as road scan for uneven pavement. The Aviator will be available globally this summer, entering the midsize luxury market.

For more information on the 2019 Chicago Auto Show, please visit www.ChicagoAutoShow.com. To download high resolution photos or b-roll, visit www.chicagoautoshow.com/media/online-newsroom. 

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About the Chicago Auto Show
The Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America, spanning more than one million square feet of production, concept and exotic vehicle exhibit space. In addition to hosting multiple world and North American vehicle debuts, the Chicago Auto Show's First Look for Charity raises more than $2.5 million annually for 18 vital Chicago organizations in a single night. The 2019 public show is Feb. 9-18. For more information, visit www.ChicagoAutoShow.com or www.Facebook.com/ChicagoAutoShow.

About the Chicago Automobile Trade Association
Founded in 1904, the Chicago Automobile Trade Association is one of the nation's largest metropolitan dealer organizations. It is comprised of more than 420 franchised new-car dealers and an additional 150 allied members. The group's dealer members employ about 19,000 people in the metropolitan area. The association has produced the world-famous Chicago Auto Show since 1935. For more information please visit www.CATA.info.

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