6,200 new jobs across Midwest

Ford is planning to invest $3.7 billion in facilities across the Midwest, much of it for the production of electric vehicles, which the company said would create about 6,200 union jobs in the region.

“We’re investing in American jobs and our employees to build a new generation of incredible Ford vehicles,” said Jim Farley, the company’s president and CEO.

The announcement, made jointly with the United Automobile Workers union, detailed investments in three states.

Ford said it would invest $2 billion and create about 3,200 union jobs in Michigan, including many tied to production of the new F-150 Lightning pickup truck, the company’s most important bet on electric vehicles.

In Ohio, Ford will spend more than $1.5 billion and create nearly 2,000 union jobs, primarily to build commercial electric vehicles in the middle of this decade. The company also said it would add more than 1,000 union jobs at an assembly plant in Kansas City, Mo., that will produce commercial vans, some gas-powered and some electric.

In addition to the new Midwestern jobs, Ford said it would convert nearly 3,000 temporary jobs into permanent full-time positions before the date that its contract with the UAW calls for — which is after two years of employment.

“We are always advocating to employers and legislators that union jobs are worth the investment,” UAW President Ray Curry said in a statement. “Ford stepped up to the plate by adding these jobs and converting 3,000 UAW members to permanent, full-time status with benefits.”

Sam Abuelsamid, an auto industry analyst at Guidehouse Insights, said the changes were important as a way to help Ford attract and retain labor in a tight job market, while potentially helping the company avoid costly labor unrest during negotiations over a contract that expires next year.