Ford (F) began production on Wednesday of its new 2016 F-650 and F-750 trucks at an Ohio plant that represents a $168 million investment. This is the first time the car maker’s medium-duty trucks will be assembled in the United States.
The plant is one of the largest employers in Lorain County, and this move from Mexico to Avon Lake, Ohio, will help secure over 1,000 United Auto Workers jobs. The move displays Ford’s commitment to American manufacturing, Ford President Joe Hinrichs said in the company’s news release.
Jimmy Settles, UAW vice president and director of the National Ford Department, spoke to the change:
Building these world-class vehicles in America helps secure jobs for more than 1,000 UAW members and provides economic growth for the Avon Lake community. Strengthening the economy through job creation continues our efforts to rebuild the American middle-class and communities across this nation.
The shift was announced in 2014 and was part of a bargaining agreement the automaker made with the UAW in 2011.