Ford is not changing strategies to construct the Ford Ranger pickup and Ford Bronco SUV in Michigan after moving Focus small automobile production to Mexico, in spite of the project dangers by President-elect Donald Trump to impose tariffs on automobiles developed south of the border.
The Dearborn-based car manufacturer discovered itself in Trump’s protectionist crosshairs throughout the election campaign due to plans to shift the production of the Ford Focus and C-Max little cars to Mexico in 2018. However the move maximizes the Michigan Assembly Plant to construct a brand-new Ford Ranger pickup as well as revive the Ford Bronco SUV.
Ford CEO Mark Fields stated everything is still on track for two new products to be integrated in Michigan, despite the Trump presidential win. The automaker sent out a letter congratulating the president-elect and has remained in continuous interaction with Trump’s transition team.
“We have had discussions with the transition group,” Fields stated on the opening day of the Los Angeles Motor Show’s media days. “I have sent out a congratulatory letter to the president-elect and we eagerly anticipate working with the new administration and the whole newly-elected Congress.”
He alerted that small car buyers and the U.S. economy in general would be penalized if Trump follows through on risks to enforce a 35-percent tariff on made-in-Mexico automobiles. On the other hand, Ford this week unveiled a variation of the EcoSport subcompact crossover that will be offered in the United States in the first quarter of 2018. The brand-new model will be imported from Chennai, India.
