Ford to Launch Record Number of New Models, Add Jobs

DEARBORN, MI – Ford says it will launch 23 new models globally in 2014, with 16 allotted for North America.

“(Next year) will be our biggest year ever for new product launches in our 111-year history,” Joe Hinrichs, president-The Americas, says today during a media event here.

Some of the models known to be debuting include next generations of the Mustang sports car, Edge CUV and F-Series truck.

The F-Series is the best-selling fullsize pickup in the U.S. for 37 years running, and Hinrichs notes 2013 has been especially good for the vehicle, with sales through November up 20%, the biggest jump for the model in seven years, and average transaction prices rising $500 from 2012.

Ford also uses today’s event to reiterate plans to add 5,000 new jobs in the U.S. next year, with 3,300 of those jobs salaried positions, its biggest hiring binge since 2000.

Some 400 of the 3,300 positions to be filled are in powertrain engineering, with a quarter of the 400 new powertrain engineers expected to take positions in the hybrid and electric-vehicle field.

Ford also notes the manufacturing expansions that will take place next year, with three new plants set for Asia-Pacific and South America.

Ford also is adding capacity in the U.S., including at its Kansas City, MO, plant, where it will begin building the new Transit fullsize cargo and passenger vans in the second quarter.

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