Chicago Assembly is the longest continuously operating assembly plant in the brand’s history.
Ford was in Chicago for the 2019 Ford F-150 Harley Davidson. This special edition truck, while not officially a product of the Blue Oval is a stunning sight. This is all Ford has to offer its Chicago Assembly and Stamping Plants fans. However, Ford also announced a major investment of one billion dollars to increase production capacity for several new SUVs.
According to Ford, 500 additional employees will be hired at its two plants. This brings the total workforce to 5,800. Ford will construct the Explorer ST and Explorer Hybrid in Chicago. It will also build the all-new police interceptor utility and the new generation Lincoln Aviator.
Joe Hinrichs (president of Global Operations at Ford), comments that “we are proud to be America’s top producer of cars.” Today, we are continuing our commitment to America by making a billion-dollar investment in Chicago manufacturing and adding 500 good-paying jobs. This investment will help Ford’s SUV market leader position further. We have completely reinvented Explorer.
Ford plans to construct a new body shop at Chicago Assembly. The transformation of the plants will start in March. Major modifications will also be made to the final assembly space, while new stamping lines will be installed at the Chicago Stamping Plant to make the Aviator and Explorer families.
Ford will also spend at least $40 million on employee-related improvements in its Chicago plants. These improvements will include new LED lighting and updates to the cafeteria, new break areas, as well as security upgrades for the parking lot.
Chicago Assembly, Ford’s oldest continuously operating vehicle assembly plant is still in operation. It began producing the Model T in 1924.