In order to assist the production process of the all-new 2015 Lincoln MKC, Ford Motor Co. (F) announced intentions to recruit 300 new employees and invest $129 million in its Louisville Assembly Plant.
Ford’s proposition to add employees will allow it to achieve over 75% of its goal to create 12,000 hourly jobs in the U.S. by 2015. In addition, the $129 million outlay will support more than 110 suppliers across the U.S., including 17 in the commonwealth of Kentucky.
Ford commercially launched the Lincoln MKC in May this year. In July, the car recorded sales of 2,895 units.
Ford plans to introduce the Lincoln brand in China later this year. Notably, the 2015 Lincoln MKC will be the second among the four all-new Lincoln vehicles slated to be launched in China by 2016.
Ford focuses on offering its customers best performance and speed along with cutting-edge technology. The 2015 Lincoln MKC is luxuriously crafted for buyers who desire comfort along with the advantage of advanced technological features. Further, the vehicle is integrated with an all-EcoBoost engine line-up together with an array of premium amenities and technologies that prioritize comfort and convenience.
Ford’s Lincoln MKC is the first vehicle offered by the brand in the small premium utility segment. Notably, the small premium utility segment is a rapidly developing one and recorded an astounding 600% growth since 2008. This remarkable upside is expected to continue with a 300% growth projection till 2018.
As Ford extensively focuses on quality maintenance, the company has set up a Lincoln Luxury Validation Center in each plant. Likewise, at the Louisville Assembly plant, every MKC is tested at five separate points to ensure fit-and-finish, craftsmanship and functional elements.
Way back in 2010, Ford had invested $600 million in the Louisville Assembly Plant to update and transform it into a modern, flexible facility with an assembly area and a body shop. The enhancements have lent considerable flexibility to the Louisville Assembly Plant and allow the production of multiple vehicle models without any downtime for tooling changeover. This enables the automaker to alter production volumes at ease depending on consumer demand and economic conditions.
Currently, Ford carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Better-ranked automobile stocks that are worth considering include Tesla Motors, Inc. (TSLA), Visteon Corporation (VC) and Fox Factory Holding Corp (FOXF). While Tesla and Visteon sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Fox Factory has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
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