Donald Trump has made abundantly clear his mission to save American jobs and incentivize companies to move back to the states from overseas, but once again before even being sworn in it appears his policies are paying off for the working class.
Previously Ford Motor Company had planned to invest in new facilities in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, at a cost of $1.6 billion. This plant would produce the Ford Focus as well as their lineup of electric and future autonomous vehicles, in addition to the Ford Mustang and Lincoln Continental models.
Instead of investing over a billion dollars in Mexico and creating massive amounts of new jobs for their country, Ford Chairman Bill Ford Jr. stated this morning that the company is canceling these plans and will be expanding their plant in Flat Rock, Michigan, while investing $700 million in this operation and creating 700 jobs in the process.
“We’re also encouraged by the pro-growth policies that President-elect Trump and the new Congress have indicated that they will pursue,” Ford President and CEO Mark Fields said in a statement.
Donald Trump has previously addressed the issue of auto manufacturers leaving the country in favor of cheap foreign labor, and even made a jab at auto makers during a speech in Michigan in September saying, “It used to be cars were made in Flint and you couldn’t drink the water in Mexico, now the cars are made in Mexico, and you can’t drink the water in Flint. That’s not good.”
After the announcement Trump send out a victory Tweet taking credit for Ford’s decision, as Ford’s chairmen already stated that their decision was based on Trump’s “pro-growth” policies”.
“@DanScavino: Ford to scrap Mexico plant, invest in Michigan due to Trump policies”https://t.co/137nUo03Gl
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2017
Ford’s official statement is as follows:
FORD ADDING ELECTRIFIED F-150, MUSTANG, TRANSIT BY 2020 IN MAJOR EV PUSH; EXPANDED U.S. PLANT TO ADD 700 JOBS TO MAKE EVS, AUTONOMOUS CARS
- Ford confirms seven of 13 new global electrified vehicles coming in the next five years, including F-150 Hybrid, Mustang Hybrid and Transit Custom plug-in hybrid
- Ford to launch fully electric SUV with an estimated range of at least 300 miles and two new electrified police vehicles
- The automaker is investing $700 million and adding 700 direct new jobs in Flat Rock (Michigan) Assembly Plant to create a factory capable of producing high-tech electrified and autonomous vehicles – plus the iconic Ford Mustang and Lincoln Continental
- Ford is piloting wireless technology that makes recharging an electric vehicle as easy as pulling into a parking spot; in addition, the company is testing EV prototypes this year in Europe, New York and other large U.S. cities
- Ford is canceling plans for a new $1.6 billion plant in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and investing $700 million in the Flat Rock, Michigan, plant’s expansion; Ford will build its next-generation Focus at an existing plant in Hermosillo, Mexico, to improve company profitability
This isn’t the first victory for Trump in the auto market, as shortly after he won the election Ford announced they were keeping their Lincoln SUV plant in Kentucky, a factory that they had intended to shut down and move overseas.
Donald Trump later described his outlook on America’s role in innovation and job creation, and how he intends to make the country a leader in these areas once again.
Instead of driving jobs and wealth away, AMERICA will become the world’s great magnet for INNOVATION & JOB CREATION.https://t.co/siXrptsOrt
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2017
It’s been said many times since Trump was elected, but it’s worth saying again, “If Trump can already save American jobs and promote growth when he hasn’t even been sworn in yet, imagine what he can do once he officially takes office!”
See also: Trump American Jobs Saved Tracker