A Nearly $2 Billion Commitment To Produce an All-New Electric Vehicle, Secure 2,200 Jobs at Louisville Assembly Plant
Gov. Andy Beshear joined Ford Motor Co. CEO Jim Farley, other company executives and local officials to announce a monumental investment by one of Kentucky’s largest employers, a nearly $2 billion commitment that will introduce an innovative manufacturing process at the Louisville Assembly Plant (LAP) to serve as the platform for an all-new, yet to be unveiled, electric mid-size pickup truck. The project is the third-largest economic development project in Kentucky’s history, as four of the five largest private-sector investments have now been announced during the Beshear Administration.
“Today, Ford and Team Kentucky are introducing the world to the future of automotive production with nearly $2 billion being invested to transform the Louisville Assembly Plant, which will also secure 2,200 jobs for Kentuckians,” Gov. Beshear said. “This announcement not only represents one of the largest investments on record in our state, it also boosts Kentucky’s position at the center of EV-related innovation and solidifies Louisville Assembly Plant as an important part of Ford’s future. Thank you to Ford’s leaders for their continued faith in Kentucky and our incredible workforce. Ford and Kentucky have been a tremendous team for more than 100 years, and that partnership has never been stronger than it is today.”
Ford’s $1.9 billion investment will include new equipment and technology to upgrade and modernize the Louisville Assembly Plant to support future product development and secure 2,200 existing full-time jobs at the facility. This includes the introduction of a new production platform that represents a major manufacturing breakthrough with an “assembly tree” approach to increase efficiency, ergonomics and affordability. The new low-cost, scalable EV platform is expected to be completed by Q2 2027.
“We are grateful to the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority for its support as we build upon Ford’s proud legacy of investment in Kentucky,” said Tony Reinhart, Ford director of state and local government affairs. “We look forward to assembling another signature Ford vehicle in Kentucky to serve customers across the U.S. and beyond.”
Ford’s presence in Kentucky dates back to 1913 when the Model T first rolled off the production line in Louisville. In the 112 years since, the company has grown its presence in the commonwealth to employ nearly 12,000 people in addition to close to 6,000 retirees. Ford partners with 165 Kentucky-based suppliers, purchasing nearly $6 billion in products annually. According to an independent analysis by the Boston Consulting Group, the company supports approximately 120,000 direct and indirect jobs across Kentucky and contributes more than $11.8 billion in state GDP, including over 48,000 jobs in the Louisville region. Over the years, Ford has donated more than $6.7 million to local nonprofits, civic initiatives and educational programs.
“Ford has been part of the fabric of Louisville for more than a century, and this announcement is transformational for our city,” said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. “Ford’s decision to maintain a strong manufacturing presence here reaffirms that Louisville is the best place in America for manufacturing, we have momentum, and we look forward to building on this trusted partnership with Ford for generations to come.”
“Ford’s investment is a transformational win for Louisville and the future of mobility,” said Trevor Pawl, CEO of Louisville Economic Development Alliance. “Their bold vision, supported by the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, puts our city at the forefront of the global transition to more affordable EVs.”
More information about Ford can be found here.
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