Ford pumps $1.3 billion more into aluminium pickups

Ford is betting big on its new aluminium-bodied F-150, which has been taking traditional business away from the steel industry. The Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker announced it was going to invest $1.3 billion in Kentucky to make the F-Series Super Duty. Ford will invest in an all-new body shop, retooling and various facility upgrades to building the pickup, which has been the best-selling vehicle in America for more than three decades.

The Louisville-based plant will make the 2017 Ford F-Series F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 Super Duty trucks, which consist of more aluminium to help meet new federal emissions standards.

"With the introduction of the all-new Ford Super Duty, America's best-selling heavy-duty pickup, we expect to continue growing our truck leadership," said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president of The Americas. "Through this investment, we are continuing to show our commitment to Kentucky and the city of Louisville, as well as bringing to customers industry-leading trucks to help them take care of business and earn a living."

The pickups still have a steel frame, but they now have an aluminium-alloy body that's projected to cost steelmakers at least 700,000 tons a year in demand. The F-Series's success could hurt Northwest Indiana steel mills, particularly if other automakers emulate the increased use of aluminium.

But Ford also employs thousands of workers in the Calumet Region, at the Chicago Assembly Plant in Hegewisch and the Chicago Stamping Plant in Chicago Heights. They take home annual profit-sharing checks that are based on Ford's overall North American performance, in which the F-150 plays a huge part. They, for instance, got $10,000 in signing bonuses and early profit-sharing after agreeing to a new four-year contract with Ford.

"Adding new jobs and more investment at Kentucky Truck Plant not only secures a solid foundation for our UAW members, but also strengthens the communities in which they live, work and play," said Jimmy Settles, UAW vice president, National Ford Department.

"Such success highlights our members’ hard work and dedication to building world-class, quality vehicles like the Super Duty," added Settles.