Ford plans $1.3 billion upgrade of Kentucky truck plant

Ford officials said Tuesday that the Kentucky Truck Plant will add 2,000 more workers and it’s in the process of $1.3 billion in upgrades to support the 2017 aluminum-bodied Super Duty truck.

The ’17 Super Duty represents the next step in Ford’s move to lighter-weight aluminum for the entire exterior and the bed of its trucks that began with the ’15 F-150 light-duty pickup. The investment will be used for a new body shop, facility upgrades and retooling to build the truck. It has produced over 5 million Ford F-Series Super Duty trucks to date. “Through this investment, we are continuing to show our commitment to Kentucky and the city of Louisville, as well as bringing to customers industry-leading trucks to help them take care of business and earn a living”.

To drum up support for the contract, Ford announced it would invest billions in its us plants in future years – including $600 million in Kentucky Truck, or KTP, and $700 million in Louisville Assembly, or LAP.

Ford switched the F-150 over to aluminum a little more than a year ago.

The 2,000 jobs are among 8,500 positions that Ford promised to add as part of its latest labor contract with the United Auto Workers union.

“This tremendous investment and commitment to new job creation reconfirms the strength of a more than century-long relationship between Kentucky and Ford Motor Company”, Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear said in a statement.

Building the new truck will require $1.3 billion in investments at the Kentucky factory.

Ford’s last announcement at KTP came in January 2014, when the company said it would spend $80 million and add 350 jobs to boost Super Duty production by 15 percent because to meet demand. Ford Trucks offer power, toughness and durability, making Ford the top-selling truck brand.

These are XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum. The 2017 model, due to go on sale next fall, will be made of aluminum.