DETROIT (Reuters) – Ford Motor Co will move production of its Focus small cars and C-Max hybrids from its Michigan Assembly Plant near Detroit in 2018, it said on Thursday, highlighting difficulties U.S. automakers are having building fuel-efficient vehicles profitably at home.
The announcement casts doubt on the future of one of Ford’s largest U.S. factories and comes just days before executives and leaders of the United Auto Workers formally kick off talks toward a new labor agreement. The UAW is expected to push for wage increases and fight company proposals to scale back healthcare costs.
Ford did not say where it would build the next-generation Focus and C-Max for the U.S. market. But less than three months ago, the company said it would spend $2.5 billion on engine and transmission plants in Mexico.
Ford has assembly plants in Mexico that make Fusion midsize sedans and Fiesta small cars.
Spokeswoman Kristina Adamski said the company must make production decisions that allow it to remain competitive.
“We actively are pursuing future vehicle alternatives to produce at Michigan Assembly and will discuss this issue with United Auto Workers leadership as part of the upcoming negotiations,” she said.
Ford, like crosstown rivals General Motors and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles got support from the U.S. government to build fuel-efficient vehicles in U.S. plants.
