Ford to build new factory in Michigan for autonomous vehicles; 900 new jobs expected

CNBC ^ | 03/20/2019 | Phil Le Beau

[SeekAndFind]

Ford is building a new plant in Michigan for autonomous vehicles as the company realigns some factories to focus on its future lineup of self-driving and electric cars.

The new facility, scheduled to open in the next two years, will take new commercial-grade hybrid models and incorporate the self-driving technology needed to turn them into autonomous vehicles. Ford is still considering where to build the AV finishing center and has not said how many people will work there.

“This facility will be about more than just putting the brains into these autonomous vehicles,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford’s president of global operations. “We will use the AV production center to upgrade the interiors and add the technology customers will want for a particular self-driving model.”

The new autonomous vehicle, or AV, facility is part of a $900 million investment Ford announced in 2017 to restructure its manufacturing footprint in Michigan. Ultimately, it’s expected to create up to 900 new jobs by 2023. That includes adding a second shift in 2023 at the company’s final assembly plant in Flat Rock, Michigan, to build an all-electric vehicle the company has yet to announce. That 2023 model is part of Ford’s plan increase sales of electric vehicles, including a brand-new electric SUV scheduled to roll out next year. It will be built at a Ford plant in Mexico

[BBQToadRibs]

They’ll take the steering wheel out of my cold dead hands.

[immadashell]

The unions must be ecstatic, another opportunity to run a big facility into the ground.

[harpu]

"900 new jobs expected" AND that's about how many of these idiot idea cars will be sold without a Government subsidy...

[Buckeye McFrog]

GM is shutting down a plant in Ohio because NO ONE IS BUYING ELECTRIC CARS.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Self-driving cars is a concept that will not survive
First Contact with the American tort bar.

[Jeff Chandler]

Eventually leading to autonomous factories.

[where's_the_Outrage?]

The proposed plant will be in Flat Rock MI, about 20 miles South of Detroit. Looks to be part of an existing Ford area.

[CatOwner]

Self-driving cars is a concept that will not survive

For individuals? Probably not for decades. For services, like taxi/Uber equivalences? Maybe. But anyone believing that this capability will be completely without any human involvement will be mistaken.

[Buckeye McFrog]

I think that’s the plant Mazda gave up on.

[Moonman62]

The article says these will be hybrids.

[cyclotic]

And to think I’m a bit upset about not having a manual transmission car right now.

There ain’t no way I’m giving up the wheel.

[Openurmind]

Same here. I hate to see them even entertain the concept any further. If they were all that were available I would get a fence jumping Missouri Mule first.

[Moonman62]

Self-driving cars is a concept that will not survive
First Contact with the American tort bar.

...

Because people in human driven cars never sue.

[lurk]

Autonomous cars will fight their way into use, but autonomous trucks can happen sooner. Shippers can program specific routes betwéen depots and not need a human driver. If they have their own lanes without other vehicles, there would be no collisions.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Self-driving cars is a concept that will not survive First Contact with the American tort bar. ... Because people in human driven cars never sue.

Because with no human driver/human error all liability will revert directly back to the manufacturer.

Unless they can get themselves a sweet deal exemption like vaccine manufacturers.

[bigbob]

Flat Rock was original the Michigan Casting Center which was the most advanced in the world, but became obsolete with the decline in V8 engines. Mazda built a new plant there which later became a joint venture called AutoAlliance Int’l. The Mazda MX-6 and Ford Probe were built there, later the 626 and Cougar,and most recently the Fusion, Mustang and Continental. The latest plans were to build an electric SUV and an automous vehicle aimed at “ride hailing or ride sharing” at Flat Rock.

Lots of history.

[Slyfox]

One thing that will prevent self-driving cars from catching on bigtime is that when a red-blooded American boy gets his first good-paying job he is gonna want to buy a car he controls with his own hands and his feet. Be it a muscle car or just something with substantial pep.

Another thing, moms are not going to let their kiddoes ride to school in a driverless car. That is just stupid and anyone thinking that's a good idea should have their brain examined.

So there, I have come up with two segments in society who will want to control their own cars.

As for me, I will be driving a gas guzzler till the day I die.

[RitchieAprile]

Good. fewer morons behind the wheel endangering us motorcyclists.

[EQAndyBuzz]

‘The unions must be ecstatic, another opportunity to run a big facility into the ground. “

Ford is definitely better than the other auto companies dealing with the unions. Not sure by how much.