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Ford Raises 2017 Michigan Investment to $1.9 Billion

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Money, jobs, and a presidential tweet.

Watch or read the news and you may have a different take on a story compared to the person observing it with you. That’s nothing new, especially in the way stories are presented by various networks, newspapers, and individuals.

Three Michigan Plants

The Ford Motor Company announced on Tuesday its plans to invest additional money covering three Michigan plants, on top of the one plant it had previously targeted. The earlier announcement, made in January, was for $700 million and 700 new jobs at the Flat Rock Assembly Plant, while the latest plan adds an additional $1.2 billion and creates 130 new jobs, raising Ford’s new investments in Michigan to a grand total of $1.9 billion for 2017 alone. In all, 830 new Michigan jobs are on the way.

Ford says the investment comes as it seeks to strengthen two of its profit pillars — trucks and SUVs — as well as expand the company’s mobility initiative.

Ford Assembly PlantSo, here is how the $1.9 billion will be earmarked:

1. Flat Rock Assembly — In January, Ford announced a $700 million investment in its Flat Rock Assembly plant for “high-tech electrified and autonomous vehicles.”

2. Michigan Assembly Plant (Wayne) — Ford’s Wayne, Michigan, assembly plant will receive $850 million in upgrades to produce the Ford Ranger (2019) and the Ford Bronco (2020). Work begins next May to transform the plant, with plans to remove and install the tooling in just four weeks.

3. Romeo Engine Plant — Ford’s Romeo engine plant will benefit from an expansion to allow it to build engine components for several vehicles, including the Ranger and Bronco. The plant already produces engines for the Super Duty, E-Series, Ford Shelby GT 350 Mustang and Shelby GT350R Mustang, along with components for F-Series, Mustang, Explorer and Edge. Ford says 130 new jobs will be created to handle the expanded capacity.

4. Data Storage Expansion. The automaker’s data storage requirements are expected to increase sharply over the next four years. To handle the growth, Ford is investing $200 million to upgrade its data center for improved storage, processing, and integration of this data. A side benefit will enable Ford to introduce new mobility products and services.

“At Ford, we are investing aggressively in building on our strengths today – including trucks, vans, commercial vehicles, performance vehicles and SUVs – while at the same time growing our leadership in electrification, autonomy and mobility services,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president, The Americas. “As America’s top producer of automobiles, we are proud to be going even further in our commitment to invest in manufacturing here at home.”

Ford says it investments are supported by the automaker’s partnership with the UAW, as well as with federal, state, county and local governments.

“UAW-Ford is proud of the total investments in three of our Southeast Michigan assembly and engine plants, which will lead to stronger job security for our members and continued support for the surrounding communities,” said UAW-Ford Vice President Jimmy Settles. “Thanks to collective bargaining, the hard-working men and women at each of these locations will now reap the full fruits of their labor. We look forward to celebrating more product investment and job growth at each of our UAW represented facilities in the months and years to come.”

President Trump Sends a Tweet

For a full day leading up to Ford’s announcement, news that something was brewing surfaced on media outlets online. Further, just hours before Ford released details of its plans, President Donald J. Trump tweeted — “Big announcement by Ford today. Major investment to be made in three Michigan plants. Car companies coming back to U.S. JOBS! JOBS! JOBS!”

The president has been pushing automakers to expand jobs stateside, giving him yet another victory lap to run.

Photo copyright the Ford Motor Company.

Buick Envision: Imported From China

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Despite UAW protestations, GM will move forward with introducing the made-in-China Envision SUV, the eighth vehicle in this premium brand’s product line. The new SUV arrives next summer in time for the 2017 model year.

Buick Envision

The compact, premium Buick Envision SUV.

Chinese-built cars are here, but most consumers haven’t taken notice. Or at least they are in the dark about such models.

The 2016 Volvo S60 Inscription is one such model, an extended wheelbase version of this luxury sedan. Its not that Volvo has been trying to keep its importation a secret, rather the move to include Chinese-built vehicles is simply a natural progression in all things global manufacturing.

GM is about to bring one of its own products from China, the compact two-row Envision crossover SUV. The new model will slot between the tiny Encore and the midsize Enclave when it goes on sale next year, filling an important gap in Buick’s expanding product line.

It wasn’t too long ago that consumers were up in arms about automotive products imported from the largest consumer market in the world. After all, China is hardly a bastion of quality products, but automotive manufacturers have been working carefully to ensure what models are planned for overseas markets meet consumer expectations.

UAW Announces its Opposition

In any case, importing the Buick Envision isn’t without its risks or its opponents. Indeed, the UAW has taken exception to GM’s decision, issuing a statement on Dec. 4 deriding the move. Said UAW Vice President and Director of the General Motors Department, Cindy Estrada: “Today’s announcement by General Motors that they are importing the Envision from China is a slap in the face to U.S. Taxpayers and the men and women who worked so hard to save GM during its darkest time.”

Estrada and others have called on GM to build the Buick Envision in one of the automaker’s US facilities, but the company has declined. Notably, Estrada pointed to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) as one of the bugaboos of jobs for rank and file members, and perhaps the underlying reason for GM’s decision to not build the SUV here.

Summer 2016 Debut

Nevertheless, the Buick Envision is set to arrive stateside next summer and will have its North American debut next month at an auto show in Detroit. The new model is comparable in size to the Jeep Cherokee as well as the Ford Escape, two models from traditional American manufacturers built in the US.

The Buick Enclave has been warmly received in China, where it has been on sale for about a year. Through Nov. 2015, 127,085 units have been sold. Encore and Enclave sales combine to make 60 percent of Buick’s product total, reflecting a current consumer trend toward all things SUV.

Turbocharged Four-Cylinder Engine

Details about the US-spec Buick Enclave reveal that it will be powered by a 252-horsepower (260 foot-pounds of torque), 2.0-liter turbocharged, four-cylinder engine and will feature the brand’s first active twin clutch all-wheel drive system. Other features include IntelliLink telematics, active noise cancellation, LED daytime running lights and LED accent lights, standard 19-inch wheels, a Bose audio system, and three-zone climate control. Popular options include cooled front seats, a panoramic sunroof, and OnStar with 4G LTE and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot.

Pricing details have yet to be announced. Buick says it will aim the standard front- and available all-wheel drive Envision at the Lincoln MKC, Audi Q5 and Acura RDX.

Eight is Enough?

With the Envision’s arrival, Buick’s product line will have eight models as the Envision follows the Opel-inspired Cascada to the market. A ninth model, the Buick Avenir, may yet be announced — a beautiful concept that would slot above the flagship LaCrosse sedan. However, the Avenir remains a concept — its styling cues will be shape the 2017 LaCrosse.