US based automaker Ford Motor has upgraded its Flat Rock Assembly Plant to produce the 2013 Ford Fusion midsize sedan.
Ford said it will now take the full management control of the Flat Rock Assembly plant, which is previously known as AutoAlliance International.
According to the company, the new plant will be renamed and continue to be owned by a joint venture that is split 50/50 between Ford and Mazda Motor.
In addition, the Flat Rock Assembly plant will provide employment for 1,200 additional hourly jobs tied to Fusion production, the company said.
Ford said it is also planning to invest $555m to build a new body shop capable of producing multiple vehicles.
In addition, the company is planning to upgrade the plant's paint shop with a 'Three-Wet' paint process, which allows three layers of paint to be applied one after another while still wet.
Ford North America Manufacturing vice president Jim Tetreault said, "By fully incorporating Flat Rock Assembly into our manufacturing system, we are able to take advantage of internal efficiencies that will streamline our ability to produce vehicles."
The plant will continue to produce the Mustang before adding Fusion next year, the company said.
