Ford investments in 2013 to add jobs

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DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 27 (UPI) -- A Ford Motor Co. executive said the automaker was "on track" for fulfilling a pledge to invest $6.2 billion in U.S. jobs and facility upgrades.

"We're absolutely on track with all of the commitments," said Ford Vice President of North American Manufacturing Jim Tetreault.

The Detroit News reported Thursday that Ford was set to spend $773 million in southeastern Michigan, investing in significant upgrades at the Dearborn Stamping Plant in an effort to gear up for F-Series truck production in 2014. Ford will also increase production capacity at the Michigan Assembly Plant, which assembles passenger cars.

While more than one-third of the new investment – $335 million – will be spent on the Dearborn Stamping Plant, Ford expects to invest $87 million at the Van Dyke Transmission Plant, $74 million at the Livonia Transmission Plant, $161 million at the Flat Rock Assembly Plant and $85 million at the Sterling Axle Plant, the News said.

About 1,200 jobs, most of them new, will be created at the Flat Rock plant. In all, 2,300 new Ford jobs are expected in southeastern Michigan in 2013.