Ford will launch 23 new models around the world in 2014 – its most aggressive global vehicle launch year in its history – with production set to be spread across several new production facilities.
The 23 new Ford models – including the Mustang, a revamped Transit range, and a new Ford Kuga-based Lincoln model – will coincide with the opening of the new manufacturing bases for the Blue Oval, two in Asia and one in South America.
“Next year we are embarking on our most ambitious global launch year ever to meet customer demand for our products around the world,” Ford global product development vice president Raj Nair said.
“We are investing even more through our One Ford plan to serve more customers in more segments and deliver profitable growth.”
Ford will open two new facilities in China in 2014, including a third Changan production assembly plant, and a new transmission plant in Chongqing, which will boost the company’s local production capacity by 300,000 units. Between the two new Chinese plants, Ford will hire 6000 new employees.
In the US, Ford has also committed to investing $1.1 billion in its newly retooled Kansas City assembly plant, creating 2000 new jobs, 1000 of which will go towards increased production of Ford’s top-selling F150 ute. More than 80 per cent of the jobs will be technical professionals who will work in product development, manufacturing, quality and IT.
“This is the fastest and most aggressive manufacturing expansion Ford has undergone in 50 years,” saidFord global manufacturing executive vide president John Fleming.
“The last time Ford was growing like this, Dwight D Eisenhower was the US president.”
