Ford Motor Company to add 1,200 Michigan jobs, invest $850 million in 4 plants

DEARBORN, Mich. - (WXYZ) - Ford Motor Company announced Monday that the company plans to invest $850 million in four Michigan plants. They say their plans include the creation of 1200 Michigan jobs.

Of those, 900 jobs will be hourly manufacturing positions. Another 300 will be salaried positions.

The four plants are being upgraded as part of Ford's emphasis on six-speed transmissions.

The company says the investment will come between 2011 and 2013 at the following plants:

• Van Dyke Transmission
• Sterling Axle
• Livonia Transmission
• Dearborn Truck

“Fuel economy and technology are consumers’ biggest priorities – and we have made them Ford’s as well,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas. “We are pleased to work with state and local government leaders to find new ways to work together, invest in our people as well as Ford facilities, further improve our competitiveness and secure jobs in Michigan.”

Governor Jennifer Granholm got cheers from the crowd when she exclaimed "The auto industry is back!"

Ford employee Brenda Lavigne said "I am so happy for the workers at this plant. We have tried so hard!" The UAW's Ford representative Jimmy Settles agreed saying "This is much better than lay-offs, news jobs mean new families will buy things, buy cars, be consumers and pay taxes in Michigan."