Ford Taurus, Lincoln MKS production could be added to Michigan plant, report says
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DETROIT -- Production of the Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS sedans could be added at Ford's plant in Flat Rock, Mich., near Detroit within a couple of years, a Detroit newspaper reported today.
Ford is adding 1,200 jobs to the plant to handle Fusion production that begins in February, and more workers could be needed to handle Taurus and MKS production, the Detroit Free Press reported.
Ford now builds the Taurus and MKS in Chicago.
The report said it wasn't clear how many jobs would be created if such a move takes place. UAW officials said they already expect 1,400 jobs to be created in Flat Rock, 200 more than originally planned, for Fusion production, according to the Free Press.
Around 1,763 workers produce the Mustang in Flat Rock on a single shift.
"I'm looking forward to adding jobs to the Downriver area and to help the community," Steve Gonzales, president of UAW Local 3000, which represents workers at Flat Rock, told the newspaper. He could not be reached for further comment this morning. A UAW spokeswoman also could not be immediately reached today.
UAW Local 551, the union local at the Chicago plant, posted the Free Press story on its Facebook page with no comment.
The story triggered uncertainty among several posters on Facebook.
One person asked on the site: "...and what will this mean for us at cap (Chicago Assembly Plant)?"
Another responded that it might be time for employees with seniority to “keep our eyes and ears open for transferring options.”
Someone else wrote, “it means. . . . don’t buy a new car or house. save your money (you’re) making.”
A Ford spokesman declined to comment on the development.
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