American auto manufacturer Ford Motor Company will be hiring some 300 new employees and making a $129 million investment in its Louisville assembly plant as it aims to bolster production capacity for the 2015 Lincoln MKC.
The 2015 MKC is one of four new Lincoln models the company plans to introduce by 2016, and will first hit the Chinese market as Lincoln will enter the Chinese market for the first time later this year.
Production on the MKC began in May, but Ford appears ready to increase its production pace by adding new workers and making a hefty investment in the plant.
"Lincoln MKC is an important part of Lincoln as it attracts a new luxury customer," said Daryl Sykes, plant manager, Louisville Assembly Plant. "To have the opportunity to build an all-new vehicle -- the first small utility ever from Lincoln -- is very exciting for the hardworking men and women at Louisville Assembly Plant."
The company has also been implementing the Lincoln Luxury Validation Center at their facilities in order to ensure the best quality vehicle, where workers inspect every aspect of the car before it leaves the plant.
The move should also see the plant continue to thrive through its multiple car manufacturing capacity.
The investment will also require less downtime for tooling changeover, and Ford will be able to manufacture multiple cars at one time, giving it the flexibility to deliver its vehicles to the market.
"The UAW and Ford remain steadfast in our commitment to Louisville with the addition of Lincoln MKC to Louisville Assembly Plant's production line," said Jimmy Settles, UAW vice president, National Ford Department. "The 300 new jobs add to the plant's 4,600 UAW team members -- a fantastic feat enabled through the collective bargaining between the UAW and Ford to support U.S. manufacturing."
The factory boost comes after Kumar Golhatra was named head of Lincoln in order to jumpstart stalled sales, Tech Times reports. CEO Mark Fields, who only recently took over the top job, has been pushing for the company to see a reboot of the Lincoln brand, and the factory extension as well as the opening up of the Chinese market should be a solid test for the company.
