> Louisville Assembly Plant adds new jobs and investment to help support
production of the all-new 2015 Lincoln MKC
> Ford Motor Company maintains its strong commitment to the commonwealth
of Kentucky and the city of Louisville through production of the new
Lincoln crossover
> MKC gives Lincoln a strong entry in the small premium utility segment,
the fastest-growing segment in the luxury automotive market
Company Website:
http://www.lincoln.com
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- (Business Wire)
Today, Ford Motor Company announced the hiring of 300 new employees and
a $129 million investment in Louisville Assembly Plant to support
production of the all-new 2015 Lincoln MKC.
Production of Lincoln’s newest vehicle began in May. MKC is the second
of four all-new Lincoln vehicles being introduced by 2016, and will go
on sale in China, along with the MKZ sedan, when the Lincoln brand
debuts there later this year.
“Lincoln MKC is an important part of Lincoln as it attracts a new luxury
customer,” said Daryl Sykes, plant manager, Louisville Assembly Plant.
“To have the opportunity to build an all-new vehicle – the first small
utility ever from Lincoln – is very exciting for the hardworking men and
women at Louisville Assembly Plant.”
Lincoln Luxury Validation Center
To ensure the highest commitment to quality, the Lincoln Luxury
Validation Center, with locations in each plant, includes inspection
team members who take a “white-glove” approach to each vehicle.
At Louisville Assembly Plant, each MKC receives an enhanced inspection
at five separate points by a two-person team to ensure fit-and-finish,
craftsmanship and functional elements meet premium customer
expectations. This attention helps to deliver a vehicle that is as close
to perfection as possible so dealers can then provide a true luxury
experience in the showroom.
Lincoln MKC, a blend of performance, quality and technology
The all-new 2015 Lincoln MKC is performance-minded, luxuriously crafted
and technologically savvy to meet the expectations of luxury buyers who
want a more personal car-owning experience.
The first small vehicle ever from Lincoln, MKC is the brand’s initial
entry in the small premium utility segment.
Small premium utility vehicles make up the fastest-growing luxury
segment, with more than 600 percent growth since 2008 and nearly 300
percent growth projected between now and 2018.
With a powerful, efficient all-EcoBoost® engine lineup,
complemented by an array of premium amenities and technologies that
prioritize comfort and convenience, Lincoln MKC targets the growing
audience of luxury consumers.
Ford’s commitment
In 2010, Ford invested $600 million in Louisville Assembly Plant to
transform it into a modern, flexible facility with tooling and facility
upgrades in its final assembly area and body shop. This transformation
allows for the production of multiple vehicle models at the same time,
without requiring downtime for tooling changeover – making Louisville
Assembly Plant one of the company’s most flexible plants in the world.
Because Louisville can build various vehicles at the same time, Ford
Motor Company can more quickly meet demand should changing economic
conditions or other events result in shifting customer preferences.
“The UAW and Ford remain steadfast in our commitment to Louisville with
the addition of Lincoln MKC to Louisville Assembly Plant’s production
line,” said Jimmy Settles, UAW vice president, National Ford Department.
“The 300 new jobs add to the plant’s 4,600 UAW team members – a
fantastic feat enabled through the collective bargaining between the UAW
and Ford to support U.S. manufacturing.”
With the addition of the 300 employees, Ford is more than 75 percent of
the way toward its goal of creating 12,000 hourly jobs in the United
States by 2015.
The new $129 million investment is also helping to support more than 110
suppliers across the United States including 17 in the commonwealth of
Kentucky.
Lincoln MKC went on sale in May; through July, 2,895 vehicles have been
sold.
About The Lincoln Motor Company
The Lincoln Motor Company is the luxury automotive brand of Ford
Motor Company, committed to creating compelling vehicles with an
exceptional ownership experience to match. The Lincoln Motor Company is
in the process of introducing four all-new vehicles through 2016. For
more information about The Lincoln Motor Company, please visit media.lincoln.com
or www.lincoln.com.
Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/lincoln.
For news, photos and video, visit media.lincoln.com
Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/lincoln
Contacts:
Ford Motor Company
Kristina Adamski
313.323.7809
kadamsk1@ford.com
or
Lincoln
Motor Company
Vanessa Bohlscheid
646.496.2791
vbohlsch@lincoln.com
Source: The Lincoln Motor Company
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