For immediate release

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- UAW members joined Ford Motor Co. officials, business leaders, local officials and Gov. Jay Nixon, D-Mo., in announcing investment at the Ford Kansas City Assembly Plant today.  Ford will invest at least $400 million over the next two years to produce a new line of next-generation vehicles at the plant.  

This plant investment was part of strategic economic incentives created by the Missouri Manufacturing Jobs Act, passed during a special legislative session called by Gov. Nixon last summer.  These incentives, along with Ford's commitment of resources to the plant and to the community, will secure thousands of direct and supporting jobs in the Kansas City area.  

The Missouri Manufacturing Jobs Act provides economic incentives for qualified automotive manufacturers and suppliers that invest in next-generation production and create or retain jobs in the state.  Qualified employers must enter into a contract with the state to create or retain a specific number of jobs and make a significant capital investment in their production facility. 

"We are pleased to have the cooperation of labor, business and government working together to retain good jobs in Missouri," said UAW Vice President Jimmy Settles, who directs the union's National Ford Department.  "At least 3,750 direct jobs will be retained here, along with the thousands of other jobs and families supported by this plant." 

"Our members at the Kansas City Ford Assembly Plant make best-in-class vehicles and will continue to produce quality vehicles here thanks to this investment and to the state for providing the incentive for re-investment in the plant," said UAW Region 5 Director Jim Wells.  

"The commitment and hard work of UAW members has contributed greatly to the success of this plant.  We look forward to many more years here in Kansas City," Wells added. 

The Kansas City Assembly Plant currently produces the Ford Escape and F-150 pickup.  The plant opened in 1951.