Shifting gears, Ford reverses on proposed Mexico plant

The company’s chief says the decision ‘makes sense for our business.’ The move, which also heralds the introduction of a fleet of electric vehicles, would keep about 700 jobs in the U.S.

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The automaker has announced that it will back off plans to build a $1.6 million manufacturing facility in Mexico, opting to push more of its resources into electric vehicles.

The company’s chief executive, Mark Fields, said Ford would pump $4.5 billion over the next five years to help the company bring to market 13 electric vehicles, some with self-driving capabilities.

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Part of that investment—$700 million—will be used to expand an assembly plant in Flat Rock, Michigan, creating some 700 jobs.

The timing of the announcement raised questions about what motivated the decision.

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