Base F-150 Lightning electric pickup will cost less than $50,000 as Ford slashes prices across line
The sticker price on Ford’s F-150 Lightning electric pickup is being lowered by thousands of dollars, the company said Monday, due to increased plant capacity, falling costs for battery raw materials and internal efforts to scale production by the Detroit automaker.
Ford Explorer recall prompts Transportation Department investigation
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating a Ford Motor Co. recall of more than a quarter-million Explorer SUVs in the U.S. The probe comes after the administration received complaints about repairs intended to prevent the vehicles from unexpectedly rolling away even while placed in park.
Energy secretary Granholm says she failed to reveal stock holdings; GOP calls for investigation
A senior Republican on the Senate Energy panel is calling for an investigation of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, after she told the committee she mistakenly provided false information about her family’s stock holdings in testimony earlier this year.
Ford, battery maker face job requirement for Tennessee plant
A lease agreement says Ford Motor Co. and a South Korean company would have to create more than 5,000 full-time jobs at a planned electric pickup truck factory and battery manufacturing plant in Tennessee or pay back at least part of a $500 million state grant for the project.
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Ford providing on-site COVID-19 vaccines for employees in southeast Michigan, Ohio and Missouri
Ford employees interested in being vaccinated against COVID-19 can now receive an on-site vaccination at manufacturing facilities in three states. Starting today, Ford is offering the vaccine program to employees in Southeast Michigan, and will provide the shot to employees in the Lima, Ohio, and Kansas City, Missouri, areas as well.
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Will work from home outlast virus? Ford’s move suggests yes
The share of Indeed's job postings that mention “remote work” or “work from home" reached 7% last month, up from just below 3% a year ago. But in some industries, the gains were far more dramatic, including those that haven't traditionally welcomed remote work. “Remote work has become much more accepted.”Ford is just the latest company to allow more work from home after the pandemic. Company executives overwhelmingly report that remote work has succeeded during the pandemic, according to research by consulting firm PwC. About 55% said they envision allowing continued remote work, according to the survey of 133 executives of mostly large companies.
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Will work from home outlast virus? Ford's move suggests yes
The share of Indeed's job postings that mention “remote work” or “work from home" reached 7% last month, up from just below 3% a year ago. But in some industries, the gains were far more dramatic, including those that haven't traditionally welcomed remote work. “Remote work has become much more accepted.”Ford is just the latest company to allow more work from home after the pandemic. Company executives overwhelmingly report that remote work has succeeded during the pandemic, according to research by consulting firm PwC. About 55% said they envision allowing continued remote work, according to the survey of 133 executives of mostly large companies.
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Ford tells 30K employees they can continue working from home under ‘hybrid’ plan
The share of Indeed's job postings that mention “remote work” or “work from home" reached 7% last month, up from just below 3% a year ago. But in some industries, the gains were far more dramatic, including those that haven't traditionally welcomed remote work. “Remote work has become much more accepted.”Ford is just the latest company to allow more work from home after the pandemic. About 55% said they envision allowing continued remote work, according to the survey of 133 executives of mostly large companies. An additional 26% said they preferred only limited remote work but recognized that it's become popular with employees.
Take a look inside University of Michigan’s new Ford Motor Co. robotics complex
An aerial view of the Ford Robotics Building at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich.ANN ARBOR – University of Michigan and Ford Motor Co. are opening a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to developing robots and roboticists. The Ford Motor Company Robotics Building is on U-M’s North Campus. The building’s fourth floor holds a robotics and mobility research lab for Ford -- the first on any university campus, as well as 100 Ford engineers and researchers. AdA workspace in the Ford Robotics Building at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. The atrium of the Ford Robotics Building at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich.
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Icy weather sends industrial production down 2.2% last month
Severe winter weather pushed industrial production down a sharp 2.2% in February, reflecting a big decline in factory output. The Federal Reserve reported Tuesday that industrial production fell 2.2% in February, reflecting a big decline in output at factories and oil and gas refineries. Industrial production fell 2.2% last month interrupting a string of four positive monthly gains as U.S. factories recovered from the pandemic-induced recession of last spring. Industrial production had been up 1.1% in January and 1% in December. The Fed said that total industrial production in February was 4.2% below the level of February 2002, the month before the pandemic hit with force in the United States.
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Spiking energy leads wholesale prices up 0.5% in February
The rise in wholesale prices moderated a bit in February after a record increase in January with both months being hit with higher energy prices. increased by 0.5% last month following a record jump of 1.3% in January. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)WASHINGTON – Energy prices continued to rocket higher in February, though overall wholesale prices moderated after a record jump in January. Over the past year, wholesale prices are up 2.8%, the largest 12-month gain at the wholesale level in more than two years. Earlier this week, the U.S. reported that consumer prices rose 0.4% in February, the biggest gain in six months, also because of rising energy prices.
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U.S. industrial production climbs 0.9% in January
The Federal Reserve reported Tuesday, Dec. 15 that the November gain in industrial output followed an even stronger 0.9% increase in October. U.S. industrial production — which includes output factories, mines and utiliites — rose 0.9% last month on top of increases of 1.3% in December, 0.9% in November and 1.1% in October, the Federal Reserve reported Wednesday. Still, industrial production was down 1.8% from January 2020, reflecting lingering economic damage from the coronavirus pandemic. Manufacturing rose 1% even though auto production was held down by a shortage of semiconductors used in vehicles. Utility output dropped 1.2% on declining production of natural gas.
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Ford to cut back F-150 production due to chip shortage
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Ford Motor Co. said Thursday that it will cut shifts at two of its U.S. manufacturing plants next week, due to the worldwide chip shortage that has also impacted other automakers. Starting Monday, Ford will cut two shifts at its Dearborn, Michigan, facility, going down to one shift per day. AdFord isn't alone in cutting back production due to the shortage of chips needed to produce cars. General Motors will have downtime at three of its factories — one in the U.S, one in Canada and one in Mexico — due to the chip shortage, starting Feb. 8. Other automakers like Nissan, Fiat Chrysler and Toyota have also been impacted by the chip shortage.
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Ford loses $1.28B in 2020, raises electric vehicle spending
FILE - In this Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, file photo, a row of 2020 sports-utility vehicles pickup trucks sits at a Ford dealership, in Denver. But the automaker said Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, it is generating strong cash flow and will go all-in on electric vehicles. But the company said Thursday it is generating strong cash flow and will go all-in on electric vehicles. Also contributing were a $610 million government-ordered recall of 2.7 million vehicles with dangerous Takata air bag inflators and a $1.2 billion one-time accounting charge for falling pension-fund values. Despite the increased electric vehicle investment, Chief Financial Officer John Lawler stopped short of matching rival General Motors’ goal of selling only all-electric light vehicles by 2035.
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US industrial production jumps 1.6% in December
The Federal Reserve reported Tuesday, Dec. 15 that the November gain in industrial output followed an even stronger 0.9% increase in October. – U.S. industrial production rose 1.6% in December, a third straight monthly gain, but remains below its pre-pandemic level. Even with those gains, industrial output is still about 3.3% below its level in February before the pandemic hit. Manufacturing increased 0.9%, its eighth straight monthly gain, even as production of motor vehicles and parts declined 1.6%. Mining production rose 1.6%, while utilities' output rose 6.2% as a rebound in December demand followed a 4.2% decline in November due to unseasonably warm weather.
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US plants hope to maintain production despite virus threat
But with the nation's COVID-19 death toll eclipsing 300,000 and the virus spiking in communities that surround the plants, industry and union officials say it may be impossible to keep the virus out of factories. Beef and pork production have both been running just below last year’s levels, Iowa State University agricultural economist Lee Schulz said. Gamble said much of the fear has come from misinformation about workers catching the virus in factories, which is not true. During the spring, more than 1,000 of the plant’s 2,800 workers were infected and at least six died. The company has lined up just-in-time freight to get parts to keep plants running, he said.
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Ford to invest $850M in Metro Detroit plants to build electric vehicles
DETROIT – Ford Motor Company is doubling down on it’s push to build electric vehicles with a nearly $1 billion investment in its plants. Ford plans to add 350 jobs at two factories to meet expected demand for electric vehicles. READ: Ford adding 350 jobs at 2 plants to make electric vehiclesAround 200 workers will be hired at Ford’s Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan, which will build an all-electric F-150 pickup starting in mid-2022. Ford says it’s an early investment in the first phase of its plan to build more electric vehicles. That will be to make electric motors and transaxles for new electric vehicles -- but no new jobs will be added.
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How high tech tools are being used to restore Michigan Central Station to former glory
DETROIT – When Ford announced it was taking over Michigan Central Station we were told the rehab would be meticulous. On Wednesday, Local 4 got a look at how some very high tech tools are being used to make sure everything is exactly how it should be. 3D scanners are being used to restore the station to its former glory. Local 4 spoke with Dan Saperstein, the senior vice president of business systems at Computer Aided Technology (CATI) to find out more. Click here for more Michigan Central Station coverageWatch the video above for the full report
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Ford posts better-than-expected 3Q profit as sales recover
DETROIT – Ford Motor Co. posted a stronger-than-expected third-quarter net profit as demand for cars and trucks recovered from coronavirus shutdowns and the company sold more high-margin trucks. The company reported an outsized pretax profit margin of 9.7% for the quarter, with North America's margin at 12.5%. Automakers were expecting a tough third quarter because they didn’t know how much demand and production would recover from the virus. But Ford saw its U.S. sales down only 5% for the period, with much of the decline from slower sales to large fleet buyers. At the same time, Ford had its best quarter for pickup truck sales since 2005, and those carry a higher price tag than other vehicles.
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Gathering of iconic Ford cars is last hurrah for Dearborn product development center
DEARBORN, Mich. – A gathering of iconic Ford cars marked a last hurrah for the Dearborn product development center. For the last 65 years every new design from the Ford Motor Co. has come through those doors. READ: New Ford CEO replaces CFO, pledges stronger profit marginsIt’s the place where designers get to deliver the cars for the first time. Soon, it will all be bulldozed to make way for something new. Watch the video above for the full report
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Virtual tour offers peek at renovations inside Michigan Central Station
Take a look inside Michigan Central Station in Detroit as Ford continues its renovation of the historic train depot. The Handbuilt City toured the building recently and created a virtual tour showing progress inside. After pausing due to the pandemic, renovation work at Michigan Central resumed in early August. Ford Motor Co. bought the iconic building just outside downtown in 2018 for research and development of self-driving vehicles. Look back: A brief history of Michigan Central Station as historic Detroit train depot prepares for new chapterWork on the 500,000-square-foot (46,000-square-meter) building is still expected to be completed by the end of 2022.
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Ford cutting 1,400 US salaried jobs with retirement offers
DEARBORN, Mich. Ford Motor Co. will offer early retirement incentives with hopes of cutting its U.S. white-collar workforce by 1,400 more positions. A spokesman says Ford expects to meet its goals with the offers. The offers will go to U.S. salaried workers who are eligible to retire as of Dec. 31. The offers won't go out in every part of the business. Ford has about 30,000 white-collar workers in the U.S.
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Renovation work restarts on iconic Detroit train station
DETROIT Restoration work is moving ahead at the Michigan Central train station in Detroit despite the economic fallout from the coronavirus. Work on the project stopped for seven weeks due to a statewide stay-at-home order aimed at slowing the spread of the virus. But crews are now in the middle of Phase Two of the project, which involves fixing the street structure and repairing masonry, the Detroit Free Press reported. Ford Motor Co. bought the iconic building just outside downtown in 2018 for research and development of self-driving vehicles. Reid said explicitly that, theres been no change to our plans involving the train station.
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Ford's results not as grim as expected for virus-marred 2Q
But that was far better than the $1.17 a share loss Wall Street had expected, according to FactSet. The automaker's second-quarter revenue was down by about half from a year ago to $19.37 billion, which narrowly beat estimates. But Chief Financial Officer Tim Stone said the company performed better than expected across the board during the quarter, allowing it to surpass expectations. The whole auto industry was expected to struggle during the quarter as the pandemic cut into production and sales. Electric vehicle company Tesla may wind up the lone exception because it managed a $104 million profit.
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Ford revives Bronco brand, aims at Jeep's big off-road sales
This photo provided by Ford Motor Co. shows a 1967 Ford Bronco T67-515. Ford is reviving the Bronco SUV brand in an effort to cash in on the rugged U.S. off-road vehicle market now owned by Jeep. Ford believes the Bronco name will evoke good memories from its off-road heritage during a three-decade run that ended in 1996. Now Ford is reviving the Bronco brand name in an effort to take a slice. Although the new Broncos will share some parts with other Ford vehicles, theyve got beefed up suspensions and were designed for off-road use, the company said.
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Ford, VW to collaborate on vans, pickup, electric vehicle
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)DEARBORN, Mich. DEARBORN, Mich.Ford and Volkswagen will each offer a small city van, a larger cargo van, a small pickup truck and an electric vehicle as part of their global alliance announced last year. The companies announced some details of what the venture will yield Wednesday, with the city van created by VW and a 1-ton cargo van engineered by Ford to be sold by both companies. Also, VW will make a small pickup built on the underpinnings of Ford's Ranger, and Ford will build an unidentified electric vehicle for Europe based on VW's modular design, the companies said. VW would start selling the pickup truck in 2022, and the electric vehicle would come in 2023, the companies said in a statement. The companies also said last year that they would jointly fund autonomous vehicle development, with VW investing in Argo AI, a Pittsburgh company largely owned by Ford.
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Trump to tour Fords ventilator assembly plant near Detroit
Trump visited Ypsilanti, outside Detroit, to tour a Ford Motor Co. factory that had been repurposed to manufacture ventilators, the medical breathing machines governors begged for during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. All of the Ford executives giving Trump the tour were wearings masks, the president standing alone without one. The day before, Trump threatened to withhold federal funds from Michigan after its secretary of state mailed absentee ballot applications to millions of voters. Trump first tweeted falsely that the Democratic state official had mailed absentee ballots to Michigan voters. We dont want them to do mail in ballots because its going to lead to total election fraud," Trump said Thursday.

President Trump to visit Ford plant in Ypsilanti today
Ford says everyone in its factories must wear personal protective equipment, including masks, and that its policy has been communicated to the White House. Trump wouldn't commit to wearing a mask at the plant when he was asked about the matter earlier this week. At least two people who work in the White House and had been physically close to Trump recently tested positive for the virus. Trump is tested daily; the White House says he remains negative. Related: Will President Trump have to wear mask when he visits Michigan Ford plant?
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Michigan Ford workers volunteer to make face shields to help in fight against coronavirus (COVID-19)
At Ford Motor Co., employees are volunteering to come in to make face shields. The 55-year-old grandmother is one of more than 100 Ford employees working around the clock to build face shields. How easily the virus spreadsHow easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily), like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily. People who think they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider immediately.
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Coronavirus in Michigan: Heres where we stand as of Tuesday night
DETROIT Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel cracked down on Menards for price gouging Tuesday, a day after extending hours for the Consumer Protection hotline. Two Michigan Department of Corrections employees are the departments first known cases of the virus. MORE: Heres which Michigan counties have confirmed cases of coronavirusA probation agent at the Jackson MDOC office and a Detroit Detention Center employee tested positive for coronavirus. How easily the virus spreadsHow easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily), like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily.
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This week in Detroit history: First train leaves Michigan Central Station
DETROIT – The first train rolled out of Michigan Central Station on Dec. 26, 1913. Michigan Central was originally scheduled to open in 1914, but a fire at the old depot at Third and Jefferson avenues forced the station to open early. A newspaper quote from when Michigan Central Station first opened in 1913 is projected on the front of the building on June 15, 2018. The train station was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. New hopeFord Motor Co. announced it had purchased the train station in the summer of 2018.
UAW president taking leave amid corruption probe
DETROIT, MI The United Auto Workers announced Saturday that President Gary Jones is taking a paid leave of absence amid a federal investigation of corruption within the union. The UAW said Jones requested the leave, which is effective Sunday. UAW Vice President Rory Gamble will serve as acting president. Union members are scheduled to begin voting Monday on a proposed contract with Ford Motor Co., which Gamble helped negotiate. Ten people have been convicted so far, including union leaders and auto company officials.