Post by TonyV on Apr 10, 2010 1:26:37 GMT -5
Last Updated: April 10. 2010 1:00AM .
Battery pack gig to bring new jobs
Ypsilanti Twp. plant lands plum Ford work
Bryce G. Hoffman / The Detroit News
Ford Motor Co. will build battery packs for its new generation of electrified vehicles at its Rawsonville Components Plant in Ypsilanti Township -- part of a $450 million investment that will bring new jobs to the area and protect hundreds of others.
The news was announced in a letter to hourly workers at the factory last week.
Details about the timing and staffing are being negotiated between the company and the United Auto Workers, according to the letter signed by Rawsonville Plant Manager Kirk Wurtzel and Joel Goddard, chairman of UAW Local 898, which represents workers at the factory.
Advertisement
"This is a huge deal for our plant and the community," said local President Donnie Enersen. "Ford Motor Co. is taking a giant step in green technology, and we applaud them.
"Not only is this great for our community, it's great for the environment."
He praised UAW President Ron Gettelfinger, the union's national Ford section chief, Bob King, Region 1A Director Rory Gamble, plant leaders and township officials for negotiating the deal.
"We are excited about our plans to bring battery pack development and assembly to Michigan, and will share more details soon," Ford spokeswoman Jennifer Moore said.
Ford announced the investment at the Detroit auto show in January, but did not say where the battery packs would be assembled.
At the time, the Dearborn automaker also announced plans to build a hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric version of the Ford Focus compact at its Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne.
Ford said it would bring the engineering and design of the battery packs for these vehicles in-house as well.
Together, these moves are expected to create 1,000 new jobs in the state by 2012.