Brown: Ford Decision to Produce Next Generation Vehicles, create 1,800 Union Jobs is A Testament to The Strength of Ohio Workers, Manufacturing

Ford Motor Company Will Invest Roughly $1.5 Billion in Sheffield Plant, Manufacture New EV Line in Ohio

CLEVELAND, OH – June 2, 2022 – Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) celebrated the news that Ford Motor Company will invest roughly $1.5 billion into northeast Ohio, creating some 1,800 union jobs, represented by the United Auto Workers, for its assembly plant in Sheffield. Ford is announcing their new commercial electric vehicle (EV) line, further positioning Ohio to be a leader in domestic EV production.

“A dozen years ago, plenty of politicians wrote off the American auto industry. We have proved them wrong every day since, and today Ohio represents the future of the global auto industry. Ford’s decision to produce its next generation of commercial electric vehicles in Ohio and bring more jobs to Lorain County is a testament to the strength of our state’s manufacturing sector and the talent of Ohio’s workers,” said Brown. “This investment will boost our state’s economy by adding 1,800 union jobs to northeast Ohio, proving that you should always bet on the American worker and the quality of our products.”

“This represents a significant investment in Ohio and UAW members.  Senator Brown deserves credit for today’s announcement as his unwavering commitment to Ohio’s working families helped make this investment a reality,” said UAW President, Ray Curry. “We always advocate to companies that UAW members contribute skill, quality and experience.  Ford has recognized that by putting the new EV commercial vehicle at Ohio Assembly Plant.”

Brown has long advocated for the American Auto Industry and for expansion of car manufacturing plants in Ohio that create jobs and benefit Ohio workers. In 2018, Brown introduced the American Cars, American Jobs Act which would benefit Ohio companies and workers throughout the auto supply chain. The legislation would put U.S.-made cars on equal footing with foreign-made vehicles and update the tax code to remove incentives for auto companies to offshore jobs.

Brown has long pushed for Congress to pass legislation that would boost American production and help U.S. manufacturers compete with global competitors. Brown was recently appointed to serve as a conferee on the committee that will reconcile the differences between the Senate’s U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA) and the House’s America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing, Pre-Eminence in Technology and Economic Strength (COMPETES) Act of 2022.

Last June, the Senate passed the United States Innovation and Competition Act of 2021 (USICA), which invests in American workers and our nation’s long-term competitiveness by shoring up critical industries like semiconductors, which are facing a global shortage. In February, the House of Representatives passed the America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing, Pre-Eminence in Technology and Economic Strength (COMPETES) Act of 2022, the House version of USICA.

Brown has been pushing for action to support American semiconductor production, which is key to supporting investments in Ohio’s auto manufacturing. In January, Intel announced a $20 billion investment to build a semiconductor plant in New Albany, which is expected to create 10,000 jobs. The USICA will boost Intel’s initial investment to create thousands of additional jobs in Ohio.