Ford provides more US jobs in Kentucky and Tennessee

Ford Motor Company is announcing plans to bring electric vehicles at scale to American customers with two new massive, environmentally and technologically advanced campuses in Tennessee and Kentucky that will produce the next generation of electric F-Series trucks and the batteries to power future electric Ford and Lincoln vehicles.

Ford plans to make the largest-ever U.S. investment in electric vehicles at one time by any automotive manufacturer and, together with its partner, SK Innovation, plans to invest $11.4 billion and create nearly 11,000 new jobs at the Tennessee and Kentucky mega-sites, strengthening local communities and building on Ford’s position as America’s leading employer of hourly autoworkers.

The environmentally and technologically advanced campus in west Tennessee will produce the next generation of electric F-Series trucks and batteries. The all-new $5.6 billion mega campus in Stanton, Tennessee, called Blue Oval City, will create approximately 6,000 new jobs and help strengthen the local community.

The investment in the people and economy of West Tennessee and Kentucky is a great point of pride for the U.S.-based dealer as well as contributing to the fight for climate change.  According to the New York Times, "The announcement is the latest multibillion-dollar move by an automaker to quickly move to electric vehicles and phase out gasoline-powered cars and trucks as part of the global effort to combat climate change. Transportation, chiefly cars and trucks, is responsible for about 30 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, more than the power sector.”  

Blue Oval City will become a vertically integrated ecosystem with key suppliers, worker education and training facilities, and battery manufacturing and recycling on site. Ford’s new assembly plant is designed to achieve a vision of carbon neutrality, zero-waste-to-landfill, and, once fully operational, meet the company’s air emission goals and strengthen local communities.

In partnership with the state, Blue Oval City will also be home to innovative worker training and technical education programs to help train Tennesseans for the advanced manufacturing jobs of the future.

While the creation of Blue Oval City is crucial to the company’s long-term vision to lead America’s transition to electric vehicles and introduce more sustainable, carbon-neutral manufacturing, it also represents a commitment to west Tennessee. For more than 118 years, Ford has remained committed to strengthening the communities where the company operates. As work begins at Blue Oval City, Ford will engage with the community in creating this future together.

“Ford couldn’t be more delighted to make this historic investment in west Tennessee, a state that has supported Ford and the automotive industry for years,” said Lisa Drake, Ford North America chief operating officer. “As we embark on this journey, Ford will be a good neighbor and work hard to enrich and give back to the communities we are joining. We look forward to working together with the local community to create this future.”

“West Tennessee is primed to deliver the workforce and quality of life needed to create the next great American success story with Ford Motor Company and SK Innovation,” said Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee. “This is a watershed moment for Tennesseans as we lead the future of the automotive industry and advanced manufacturing.”

Today, Ford Credit’s Nashville Business Center employs nearly 800 people. Ford also operates a parts, supply, and logistics distribution center in Memphis that employs about 150 people, and has 65 dealerships with 3,600 employees throughout the state. As Ford builds out its presence in Tennessee with Blue Oval City and through its overall national investment of $525 million in technician training over the next five years, the company will continue to focus on ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring and training programs and across its entire supply chain by working with women-, minority-, veteran- and disability-owned businesses.

A study by Boston Consulting Group highlights Ford’s economic impact in Tennessee, including supporting 18,000 direct and indirect jobs in the state, and a state GDP contribution of approximately $1.8 billion.

Through its philanthropic arm, Ford Fund, Ford has contributed more than $6 million to programs that support Tennessee communities in the last 10 years, and through Ford Volunteer Corps, Ford employees have dedicated 7,000 hours to serving the needs of people and organizations in Tennessee.

Ford Fund is a long-time supporter of the National Civil Rights Museum, Country Music Hall of Fame, and other organizations that improve the quality of life in Tennessee. This past August, Ford and Ford dealers stepped up to help communities with vehicles and other essential needs during the devastating floods. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Ford has donated more than 1 million pieces of personal protective equipment in Tennessee. 

Learn more and test drive an all-electric Ford today.  Contact your electric vehicle experts at J.C. Lewis Ford, 912.226.0360.