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11 April 2025
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Apr 11, 2025Aviation Week Network-Factory
With the delivery of its first newly built A320neo from the Airbus facility in Hamburg Finkenwerder on April 8, Lufthansa City Airlines is eyeing further fleet developments.
Lufthansa says the A320neo “symbolizes the key role that Lufthansa City Airlines plays within the Lufthansa Group in redefining continental traffic to and from” Lufthansa’s second hub in Munich and, starting in 2026, from its main hub in Frankfurt.
Lufthansa City Airlines’ fleet now comprises four A319s and four A320neos.
During 2025, five more A320neos are expected to be delivered directly from Airbus, and two A320neos will be transferred from Lufthansa Cityline. The fleet should reach 15 aircraft, which are all based in Munich, by the end of 2025.
Starting in 2026, Lufthansa City Airlines will begin operations from Frankfurt. From the end of 2026, the carrier expects to take delivery of the first of 40 A220-300s, which are on order.
In an April 9 statement, Lufthansa said that Lufthansa City Airlines is making an important contribution to strengthening the competitiveness of the short-haul network, consolidating the market position of the Lufthansa Group and supporting the planned growth on Lufthansa’s long-haul network.
“Of the seven airlines currently operating under the Lufthansa Airlines umbrella, we want to focus on three operational airlines: Lufthansa Classic, Lufthansa City Airlines and [leisure carrier] Discover Airlines, as well as one strategic wet-lease partner [airBaltic],” Lufthansa Airline CEO Jens Ritter told Aviation Week earlier this year in Munich.
Lufthansa City Airlines MD Peter Albers says in a statement that the latest A320neo will be a further motivation and incentive for its employees.
This particular A320neo will begin scheduled services from May onward. The aircraft is equipped with the new Airspace cabin (by Airbus), offers passengers significantly larger overhead bins, a modern lighting system and improved seating comfort for a total of 180 passengers.
In terms of network, Lufthansa City Airlines will add Barcelona, Bordeaux, Dusseldorf, Edinburgh, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Rome, and Seville during the summer 2025 schedule, reaching a total of 17 destinations.
“We will discontinue Lufthansa Cityline operations in the medium term,” according to Ritter. “In return, City Airlines will grow to its maximum.”
Lufthansa City Airlines was founded in 2022 in Munich and since June 2024 has operated feeder flights to and from Munich on behalf of Lufthansa.
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Egypt And China’S Sailun Group Sign $1 Billion Deal To Construct Sokhna Industrial Zone Tire FactoryEgypt has inked an agreement with China’s Sailun Group to construct an automotive tire manufacturing factory in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCEZ), involving total investments of $1 billion. This was revealed by a Cabinet statement. Furthermore, the construction of this tyre manufacturing facility facility is expected to span three years. Furthermore, it is expected to ultimately achieving an annual production target of 10 million tires. The first phase of the Sokhna Industrial Zone Tire Factory facility is set to be completed by 2026.
Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone contains six ports and four industrial areas that are situated alongside or in proximity to this vital waterway. Additionally, the government has set special legal and tax advantages upon the area to capitalize on the international shipping traffic that passes through.
Also read: Egypt Finally Inks Agreement on its $1.7 Billion Red Sea Petrochemicals Project Near the Suez Canal
Partnership: A contract between China’s Sailun Group and TEDA Egypt, a developer within the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone).
Total investment: $1 billion
Location: China-Egypt Teda industrial zone, Sokhna Industrial Zone (within the SCZone)
Timeline and phased development:
Capacity:
Initial production (Phase 1):
Full Production (Upon full completion):
Factory size: 350,000 square meters
The chairperson of the zone indicated in the previous year that many investments are being channelled toward infrastructure so as to attract potential investors.
Also read: Egypt Inks $200 Million Deal with China’s Sunrev Solar to Construct the Ain Sokhna Solar Energy Complex Project
China has been keen to increase its economic engagement in Egypt. It has ventured into key sectors like ports, green hydrogen, industrial projects, and space exploration.
Recent partnerships and collaborations between Egypt and China in this year cover a wide range of sectors. These underscore a deepening strategic relationship between the two countries.
Additionally, both nations have committed to enhancing economic ties. These economic ties will be enhanced especially in areas like electric vehicles, electronics, artificial intelligence, water desalination, solar energy, and feeder industries.
Also read: Egypt Signs $658 Million Contracts for Abu Tartur Phosphoric Acid Complex Project
Also, significant investment promotion forum is also on the agenda to stimulate joint investments. Chinese investments are notably thriving within the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone. Furthermore, the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone is home to over 160 Chinese enterprises. Also, Egypt’s favorable strategic location and extensive trade agreements further position it as an optimal production and export hub for Chinese businesses.
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14 August 20253 min readEgypt And China’S Sailun Group Sign $1 Billion Deal To Construct Sokhna Industrial Zone Tire Factory
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Ge Appliances Shifts More Production To U.S. As Part Of $3 Billion InvestmentLOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — GE Appliances plans to shift production of refrigerators, gas ranges and water heaters out of China and Mexico as part of a more than $3 billion investment to expand its U.S. operations in Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and South Carolina.
The investment — the second-largest in the Louisville-based company's history — is expected to add more than 1,000 jobs while ramping up domestic production and modernizing plants in the next five years.
"Our long-term strategy is about manufacturing close to our customers," said CEO Kevin Nolan. "With lean manufacturing, upskilling our workforce and automation, the math works for manufacturing in the United States."
The majority of GE Appliances' production is already in the U.S. and the shift means only that the company will transfer more work to its domestic plants.
GE Appliances will relocate production of gas ranges from Mexico to a plant in Georgia, while six refrigerator models now made in China will be manufactured at its Alabama plant, the company said.
In June, the company said it would move production of clothes washers from China to its sprawling manufacturing complex in Louisville. The reshoring announcements come as President Donald Trump tries to lure factories back to the United States by imposing import taxes — tariffs — on foreign goods.
GE Appliances said Wednesday that the first phase of its new investment will begin at plants in five Southern states — Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina.
"We are defining the future of manufacturing at GE Appliances by investing in our plants, people and communities," Nolan said. "No other appliance company over the last decade has invested more in U.S. manufacturing than we have, and our $3 billion, five-year plan shows that our commitment to U.S. manufacturing will continue into the future."
The multiyear plan includes ramping up production of gas ranges that have been made in Mexico but will shift to the company's plant in LaFayette, Georgia, the company said. Production of six refrigerators now made in China will move to its plant in Decatur, Alabama.
The GE Appliances plant in Camden, South Carolina, will add production of electric and hybrid heat pump water heaters, doubling the factory's output and employment once the project is complete, the company said. The plant now produces gas water heaters. Production of the company's electric and hybrid water heaters — now made in China — will shift to South Carolina.
In Selmer, Tennessee, its plant will produce two new models of air conditioners.
The latest investment includes the June announcement that GE Appliances will pump $490 million into its Kentucky complex to produce a combo washer/dryer and a lineup of front load washers that are now made in China. In all, production of more than 15 models of front load washers will shift to the company's Louisville complex — known as Appliance Park, it said.
Once its new plan is fully implemented, GE Appliances will have invested $6.5 billion across its 11 U.S. manufacturing plants and nationwide distribution network since 2016, it said.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Wednesday that the investment shows his state's ability to support world-class companies with a skilled workforce and the resources needed to thrive.
"GE Appliances has established Kentucky as America's destination for advanced manufacturing and job creation, and today's news shows this iconic company's unwavering belief in the commonwealth and the role we play in their success," Beshear said.
GE Appliances handles product design and engineering work at its Louisville headquarters but doesn't make all of its products in the U.S. It contracts with other manufacturers, including in China, for some of its production where it doesn't have capacity or needs access to a global supply chain. The company said its core business strategy is to base production in the United States, and investments announced in June and on Wednesday are another step toward achieving that goal.
The company said it's partnering with universities, technical schools and high schools to help ensure that its plants and other facilities have a trained workforce.
"Infrastructure and tools matter, but they are not enough," said Bill Good, vice president of supply chain for GE Appliances. "America's manufacturing renaissance will be built by people."
GE Appliances is a subsidiary of the China-based Haier company.
Overall, GE Appliances says it contributes more than $30 billion annually to the U.S. economy and supports more than 113,000 jobs – both directly and indirectly – through its operations, suppliers and distribution network.
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13 August 20254 min readGe Appliances Shifts More Production To U.S. As Part Of $3 Billion Investment
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Canada'S Gildan Activewear Buying Hanesbrands For $2.2 BillionGildan Activewear is buying the struggling HanesBrands for $2.2 billion in a deal that gives the basic apparel maker access to household name brands like Hanes and Maidenform.
The companies put the transaction's valued at about $4.4 billion when HanesBrands' debt is included.
Gildan, in addition to its namesake brand, also makes American Apparel and Peds.
HanesBrands' sales have fallen for three consecutive years and it hasn't turned an annual profit since 2021.
The North Carolina company sold its Champion brand last year to Authentic Brands Group for more than $1 billion. In February Target announced a multiyear strategic partnership with Champion, with products from the brand rolling out in the retailer's store and on its website starting this month.
"As part of Gildan, HanesBrands will benefit from an even stronger financial and operational foundation that will provide new growth opportunities – helping to power further innovation, a broader product offering and greater reach across channels and geographies," HanesBrands Chairman Bill Simon said in a statement Wednesday.
HanesBrands shareholders will receive 0.102 common shares of Gildan and 80 cents in cash for each share of HanesBrands common stock. They will own about 19.9% of Gildan stock once the deal closes.
Gildan has been experiencing some upheaval as well. In May 2024 its entire board resigned and appointed the nominees of activist investor Browning West as their replacements. CEO Vince Tyra also stepped down.
Gildan's headquarters will remain in Montréal after the transaction is complete. The combined company will maintain a strong presence in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where HanesBrands is located.
Gildan said that it plans to conduct a strategic review of HanesBrands Australia, which could include a sale.
The deal is expected to close later this year or early next year. It still needs approval from HanesBrands shareholders.
Shares of HanesBrands dropped nearly 4% before the market opened after spiking 28% Tuesday on rumors of a buyout.
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13 August 20252 min readCanada'S Gildan Activewear Buying Hanesbrands For $2.2 Billion
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Welspun Tubular To Invest $150 Million In New Arkansas Pipe MillWelspun Tubular LLC plans to investment $150 million to establish a new Longitudinally Submerged Arc Welded (LSAW) line pipe mill and coating facility at its existing site in Little Rock, Arkansas.
The company expects the expansion to create 300 new jobs.
“With this expansion, Welspun will be the only facility in the United States capable of manufacturing line pipes ranging from 6 inches to 56 inches, meeting the complete specifications required for both the oil and gas and infrastructure sectors," Welspun World Chairman B.K. Goenka said.
Welspun stated that the new LSAW facility would enhance its capability to serve diverse sectors, including oil and gas, carbon capture, LNG export and hydrogen pipelines.
The development marks Welspun Tubular’s second major announcement in Arkansas in as many years.
In October 2024, the company revealed plans to invest $100 million to expand and upgrade its High Frequency Induction Welded (HFIW) pipe manufacturing facility in Little Rock. The company expects to complete the expansion by early 2026 and create 175 jobs.
The company began operating in Little Rock in 2007.
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13 August 20251 min readWelspun Tubular To Invest $150 Million In New Arkansas Pipe Mill
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Ge Appliances To Invest $3 Billion To Expand Manufacturing Facilities And Launch New ProductsOnce focused solely on electric products over the next several years the Roper Corporation is ramping up production of gas ranges previously made in Mexico. Photo courtesy of GE Appliances
LOUISVILLE, KY—Today, GE Appliances, a Haier company, announced a historic $3 billion, five-year investment to expand U.S. manufacturing, modernize facilities, and grow its product portfolio. The initiative will create more than 1,000 new jobs across Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina.
This plan—GE Appliances’ second-largest investment ever—follows $3.5 billion in spending since 2016, bringing the company’s total U.S. investment to $6.5 billion.
The five-year plan begins with major expansions at plants in all five states. In Camden, South Carolina, GE Appliances will double output and employment by adding electric and hybrid water heater manufacturing by early 2026. In Selmer, Tennessee, the company will introduce two new Vertical Zoneline® air conditioner models in December 2025. In LaFayette, Georgia, production is shifting to include gas ranges previously made in Mexico, alongside existing electric and induction products. In Decatur, Alabama, the company is in-sourcing six top-freezer refrigerator models by August 2025 to better meet customer demand. At its global headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky, GE Appliances is investing $490 million to launch production of combo washer/dryers and front-load washers, creating 800 jobs and strengthening its leadership in laundry manufacturing.
Since 2016, the company has added more than 4,000 U.S. jobs and continues to invest in workforce development through industry-leading apprenticeships, partnerships with educational institutions, and programs designed to prepare employees for higher-skilled work. The company also offers flexible scheduling, transportation assistance, and free on-site health clinics for employees and their families. “America’s manufacturing renaissance will be built by people,” said Bill Good, vice president of supply chain. “We’re not just bringing jobs back — we’re bringing purpose, pride, and possibility back to American industry.”
With a $30 billion annual contribution to U.S. GDP and support for more than 113,000 jobs nationwide, GE Appliances expects its latest investment to drive innovation, strengthen domestic supply chains, and boost regional economies. The company is also extending its impact through community partnerships, including disaster relief initiatives such as mobile clean-water and laundry units developed with WaterStep and the American Red Cross. These units, designed for rapid deployment to communities in crisis, will debut today at Appliance Park in Louisville.
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13 August 20253 min readGe Appliances To Invest $3 Billion To Expand Manufacturing Facilities And Launch New Products
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Egypt Secures $1B Deal With Major Chinese Automotive CompanyEgypt has made another important advancement in enhancing its automotive industry by signing a $1 billion deal with China's Sailun Group to establish a large tire manufacturing plant in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone).
The cabinet announcement also indicates that the initial phase is expected to end in 2026. Sailun, a global tire manufacturer with state-of-the-art facilities in China and Vietnam and established sales networks in Canada, Germany and other markets will provide state-of-the-art experience and expertise to Egypt.
The factory will meet local requirements but will also be able to position Egypt as a tire export facility for Africa, the Middle East and Europe, given the favourable location of the SCZone. The government has bestowed zone-specific legal and tax benefits to capitalize on international ships transiting, according to Reuters. The chairman of the zone mentioned last year that it was heavily investing in infrastructure while trying to attract businesses.
China has been working to boost its economic engagement in Egypt through projects focused on manufacturing, green hydrogen, ports, and space. This investment aligns with Egypt's automotive industry objectives, which involve localizing production, decreasing import dependency, and creating a regional manufacturing center.
Also Read: GM, Hyundai Partner to Co-develop Cars Amid China EV Pressure
In recent years, Egypt has adopted strategies to entice global automakers and parts producers, enhance domestic supply chains, and increase export levels. Moreover, Egypt set aside EGP 1.5 billion in its budget for 2024–2025 to improve localization. This included backing for Sumitomo's worldwide automotive wiring harness operation, which is set to generate 10,000 jobs and function as an export center for European car manufacturers.
The establishment of a new tire manufacturing facility tackles an essential element of the automotive value chain, creating opportunities for collaboration with Egypt's existing vehicle assembly plants and expected electric vehicle initiatives. It is expected to generate significant jobs, enhance technical skills of Egyptian employees, and encourage more foreign investment in the region.
Incorporating upstream activities, such as tire production, into the industrial ecosystem puts Egypt in a better competitive position to serve regional demand for automobiles. The SCZone is a trade facilitation tool that demonstrates Egypt's desire to develop from a vehicle assembly market into a full automotive production market. If done right, the Sailun Joint Venture could mark a significant shift toward self-sufficiency and international competitiveness in the automotive domain of Egypt.
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13 August 20252 min readEgypt Secures $1B Deal With Major Chinese Automotive Company
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Apple Expands Us Investment To $600 Billion With New ProgramSubscribe to our free newsletter today to keep up to date with the latest manufacturing news.
Apple announced it will add $100 billion to its existing US investment plan, bringing the total to $600 billion over the next four years. This marks one of the largest single-country commitments in the company’s history. The funding will expand domestic production capacity, deepen supplier partnerships, and strengthen research and development infrastructure across several states. Company leaders have framed the move as part of a long-term effort to secure critical components and reinforce supply chain stability amid global market uncertainty.
Central to the expansion is the American Manufacturing Program, a strategy aimed at increasing US-based production. The initiative involves 10 primary partners: Corning, Coherent, GlobalWafers America, Applied Materials, Texas Instruments, Samsung, GlobalFoundries, Amkor, Broadcom, and TSMC. These companies contribute expertise ranging from semiconductor fabrication to precision optics. By localizing production, Apple seeks to lessen reliance on overseas manufacturing and respond more effectively to policy shifts.
One major investment is in Corning’s Harrodsburg, Kentucky facility, which will become the largest and most advanced smartphone cover glass production site in the world. The facility will supply every iPhone and Apple Watch with cover glass made in Kentucky. Apple is funding equipment upgrades and adding hundreds of jobs to the plant’s workforce. The company and Corning will also establish the Apple-Corning Innovation Center to develop new materials and manufacturing processes for future devices.
Apple is also working toward a complete US silicon supply chain. Partnerships with TSMC in Arizona, Samsung in Texas, GlobalFoundries in New York, and other semiconductor firms are expected to produce more than 19 billion chips in 2025. These efforts will support processors, memory modules, and other essential parts for iPhones, Macs, and wearables. The investment addresses both performance needs and supply security as chip demand grows.
Apple says its US operations currently support 450,000 supplier and partner jobs nationwide. The new program will add 20,000 direct jobs in areas such as research and development, silicon engineering, software development, and artificial intelligence. States including Kentucky, Texas, and Arizona will benefit from direct infrastructure investments, while suppliers will gain from expanded orders and long-term contracts.
The announcement comes as a 100 percent tariff on imported semiconductors is under consideration. Companies dependent on overseas chip production could see higher costs, but Apple’s increased domestic manufacturing may help avoid the most severe effects. Analysts view the strategy as a way to reduce trade risks while aligning with policies that encourage US technology production.
Apple’s expanded investment reflects a plan to pair business growth with supply chain resilience. By committing to large-scale domestic projects, the company signals confidence in both its market outlook and the ability of US manufacturing to support the next wave of consumer technology.
Sources:
Apple
Manufacturing Today
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11 August 20253 min readApple Expands Us Investment To $600 Billion With New Program
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11 August 2025
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Ford To Invest $2 Billion For Louisville Electric TrucksFord, the company that invented the moving automotive assembly line, is rethinking how it will make future vehicles, announcing plans to invest $5 billion in Louisville, Kentucky, and Marshall, Michigan, for its next generation of electric trucks.
“We have all lived through far too many ‘good college tries’ by Detroit automakers to make affordable vehicles that ends up with idled plants, layoffs and uncertainty,” Ford President and CEO Jim Farley said. “So, this had to be a strong, sustainable and profitable business. From Day 1, we knew there was no incremental path to success. We empowered a tiny skunkworks team three time zones away from Detroit. We tore up the moving assembly line concept and designed a better one.”
Louisville Assembly Plant, now home to the Escape small crossover, will get $2 billion of the investment for what Ford is calling a modular family of future EVs (the company already announced the $3 billion battery plant). Powered by low-cost but lower-range lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries, Ford officials say the new vehicles will use dramatically fewer parts and take less assembly time than internal combustion engine options. Targets include:
Rather than a straight assembly line, Bryce Currie, Ford vice president, Americas Manufacturing, says the new system will be more like a tree – three separate production processes that come together for final assembly.
Industry Week
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11 August 20252 min readFord To Invest $2 Billion For Louisville Electric Trucks
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Ford To Invest Nearly $2 Billion In Kentucky Assembly Plant To Produce EvsLOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Ford Motor Co. will invest nearly $2 billion retooling a Kentucky factory to produce electric vehicles that it says will be more affordable, more profitable to build and will outcompete rival models.
The automaker's top executive unveiled the new EV strategy at Ford's Louisville Assembly Plant which, after producing gas-powered vehicles for 70 years, will be converted to manufacture electric vehicles.
"In our careers, as automobile people we're lucky if we get to work on one, maybe two, projects that really change the face of our industry," CEO Jim Farley told plant workers in Kentucky on Monday. "And I believe today is going to light the match as one of those projects for all of us here."
The Big Detroit automakers have continued to transition from internal combustion engines to EV technology even as President Donald Trump's administration unwinds incentives for automakers to go electric. Trump's massive tax and spending law targets EV incentives, including the imminent removal of a credit that saves buyers up to $7,500 on a new electric car.
Yet Farley and other top executives in the auto industry say that electric vehicles are the future and there is no going back.
The first EV to be produced by the revamped Louisville production process will be a midsize, four-door electric pickup truck in 2027 for domestic and international markets, the company said Monday.
The new electric trucks will feature plenty of interior space to fit five adults and pack enough power to have a targeted 0-60 time as fast as a Mustang EcoBoost but with more downforce, Ford said
The electric trucks will be powered by lower-cost batteries made at a Ford factory in Michigan. The Detroit automaker previously announced a $3 billion investment to build the battery factory.
The automaker sees this as a "Model T moment" for its EV business — a reference to revolutionary changes on the production line led by the company's founder, Henry Ford, when it began churning out vehicles from a factory more than a century ago. Farley said the changes will upend how electric vehicles are made in the U.S.
"It represents the most radical change on how we design and how we build vehicles at Ford since the Model T," Farley said.
The company said it will use a universal platform and production system for its EVs, essentially the underpinning of a vehicle that can be applied across a wide range of models.
The Louisville factory — one of two Ford assembly plants in Kentucky's largest city — will be revamped to cut production costs and make assembly time faster as it's prepared to churn out electric vehicles.
The result will be "an affordable electric vehicle that we expect to be profitable," Farley said in an interview with The Associated Press ahead of the announcement. "This is an example of us rejuvenating our U.S. plants with the most modern manufacturing techniques."
The new platform enables a lineup of affordable vehicles to be produced at scale, Ford said. It will reduce parts by 20% versus a typical vehicle, with 25% fewer fasteners, 40% fewer workstations dock-to-dock in the plant and a 15% faster assembly time, Ford said.
The traditional assembly line will be transformed into an "assembly tree" at the Louisville plant, the company said. Instead of one long conveyor, three subassembly lines will operate simultaneously and then join together, it said.
Other specifications for the midsize electric truck – including its reveal date, starting price, EPA-estimated battery range, battery sizes and charge times — will be announced later, the company said. Farley revealed that the truck will have a targeted starting price of about $30,000.
Ford said its investment in the Louisville plant will secure 2,200 hourly jobs.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Monday that the automaker's plans for the Louisville plant will strengthen a more than century-old partnership between Ford and the Bluegrass State.
"This announcement not only represents one of the largest investments on record in our state, it also boosts Kentucky's position at the center of EV-related innovation and solidifies Louisville Assembly Plant as an important part of Ford's future," Beshear said.
Ford said its combined investment of about $5 billion at the Kentucky assembly plant and Michigan battery plant is expected to create or secure nearly 4,000 direct jobs between the two plants while strengthening the domestic supply chain with dozens of new U.S.-based suppliers.
Ford previously forecast weaker earnings growth for this year and further losses in its electric vehicles business as it works to control costs. Model e, Ford's electric vehicle business, posted a full-year loss of $5.08 billion for 2024 as revenue fell 35% to $3.9 billion.
Ford's new EV strategy comes as Chinese automakers are quickly expanding across the globe, offering relatively affordable electric vehicles.
"We're not in a race to build the most electric cars," Farley told the AP when asked about competition from China. "We're in a race to have a sustainable electric business that's profitable, that customers love.
"And this new vehicle built in Louisville, Kentucky, is going to be a much better solution to anything that anyone can buy from China," he added.
Ford could have opted to launch its EV project overseas to reap lower-cost labor and currency advantages but instead is "taking the fight to our competition" from the plant in Kentucky, Farley said at Monday's event. But the Ford CEO cautioned that "there are no guarantees" with project.
"We're doing so many new things I can't tell you with 100% certainty that this will all go just right," he said. "It is a bet. There is risk. The automotive industry has a graveyard littered with affordable vehicles that were launched in our country with all good intentions. And they fizzled out with idle plants, laid off workers and red ink. And at Ford ... we set out to break that cycle."
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11 August 20255 min readFord To Invest Nearly $2 Billion In Kentucky Assembly Plant To Produce Evs
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11 August 2025
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Ford Invests $5 Billion In Innovative Production SystemFord's Louisville Assembly Plant. Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company
LOUISVILLE, KY—Ford Motor Company is making a $5 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing and technology, creating or securing nearly 4,000 jobs across its Louisville Assembly Plant and BlueOval Battery Park Michigan.
The initiative will debut the new Ford Universal EV Platform and Ford Universal EV Production System—designed to produce a family of affordable, high-quality, software-defined electric vehicles at scale.
The first product from the platform will be a midsize, four-door electric pickup, targeted to start at about $30,000 and launch in 2027. Built at Louisville Assembly Plant, the truck will offer more passenger space than a Toyota RAV4, a lockable bed and frunk, a targeted 0–60 mph time comparable to a Mustang EcoBoost, and advanced over-the-air software capabilities.
Ford’s new EV platform reduces vehicle parts by 20%, fasteners by 25%, and assembly time by 15% while integrating a cobalt- and nickel-free lithium iron phosphate (LFP) prismatic battery pack as a structural floor. The new production system replaces the traditional moving line with an “assembly tree,” enabling sub-assemblies—front, rear, and battery structure—to be built in parallel, improving ergonomics, quality, and efficiency.
Louisville Assembly Plant will expand by 52,000 square feet, gain advanced digital infrastructure, and receive nearly $2 billion in upgrades, securing 2,200 hourly jobs in Kentucky. BlueOval Battery Park Michigan will begin producing prismatic LFP batteries in 2026, supporting domestic supply chain growth.
“With this platform and production system, we’re reinventing the factory and reimagining the affordable EV,” said Jim Farley, Ford President and CEO. “This is a strong, sustainable, and profitable path forward—built by American workers for American drivers.”
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Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the ASSEMBLY audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of ASSEMBLY or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!
On Demand Learn how manufacturers are bridging the gap between the shop floor and ERP systems to gain real-time visibility, streamline operations, and kick-start digital transformation—without waiting years.
Sponsored by:
On Demand In this presentation, Dr. Herman Tang shares practical insights from his industry experience and research on buffer management in manufacturing operations.
Assembly Magazine
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11 August 20253 min readFord Invests $5 Billion In Innovative Production System
Assembly Magazine
11 August 2025
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Malaysia Boosts Palm Oil Replanting With $330 Million InvestmentMalaysia is increasing initiatives to renew its aging oil palm plantations with a suggested investment of US$330 million (RM1.4 billion) in the coming five years. The program, as part of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), seeks to enhance productivity and uphold the nation’s rank as the second-largest palm oil producer globally.
The funding, announced by Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, will mainly assist smallholders in replacing older trees with more productive varieties. Johari highlighted that aging plantations, some exceeding 25 years, are leading to stagnant yields and jeopardizing Malaysia’s prospective export capability.
In 2023, just 132,000 hectares were replanted, missing the government's goal of 4% yearly replanting. The replanting rate declined to 2% last year, raising worries about future sustainability.
“When replanting is not being taken care of, it will affect our future exports,” Johari told parliament, adding that the government is also offering a matching grant of RM100 million (US$23.65 million) this year to incentivise smallholders.
The replanting effort is in line with wider objectives to modernize Malaysia's agricultural industry via mechanization, automation, and focused Research & Development.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, during the presentation of the 13MP, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to rejuvenating key sectors, such as palm oil, rubber, and cocoa.
Also Read: Uzbekistan, Mongolia Partner to Boost Agri, Food Sectors
Industry experts and economists have praised the decision, emphasizing that replanting is essential for preserving Malaysia’s competitiveness in the international palm oil market. The government anticipates that the replanting program will greatly aid in export growth and rural development, supported by commodity exports worth RM115 billion.
“Malaysia’s commodity exports stand at about RM115 billion, and this replanting initiative is expected to contribute to our export growth,” added Johari. “If we can upgrade and replant large areas of ageing oil palm trees, it will boost our capacity and competitiveness in the global palm oil market.”
With the start of parliamentary discussions on the 13MP, stakeholders are anticipated to offer input on execution plans and financial models. The initiative's success could act as a model for sustainable agricultural reform throughout Southeast Asia.
Asia Manufacturing Review
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08 August 20252 min readMalaysia Boosts Palm Oil Replanting With $330 Million Investment
Asia Manufacturing Review
08 August 2025
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Sap Invests $175 Million In Vietnam R&D CenterGerman software giant SAP has officially established a research and development center in Vietnam, intending to invest over €150 million ($175 million) in the next five years. The SAP Labs Vietnam facility, located in Saigon ward, Ho Chi Minh City, officially started functioning on Thursday. It is SAP’s second research and development center in Southeast Asia, after its site in Singapore.
During the launch event, Clas Neumann, senior vice president and head of the SAP Labs Global Network, stated that the moment is ideal to invest in Vietnam because of its plentiful tech talent, robust governmental backing for innovation and digital transformation, and a strong academic foundation.
SAP Labs Vietnam has recruited more than 200 staff members since September 2024, aiming to grow to 500 by 2027. In 2025, the company anticipates hiring an extra 350 employees. Among SAP’s 20 worldwide research centers, the Vietnam facility has achieved the quickest growth in its initial year of operation.
Vietnam is presently among the rapidly expanding digital economies in Southeast Asia, with a projected growth rate of 20% in 2024, accounting for 18.3% of the nation's GDP, which is three times the general economic growth rate, based on information from the former Ministry of Information and Communications (now the Ministry of Science and Technology).
Also Read: Vietnam Ranks Second in SEA for Data Center Investment Returns
During the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung highlighted that Vietnam has recognized 11 key technology sectors and intends to establish itself as a global hub for AI. He urged SAP to increase its investments in HCMC and other areas throughout the nation.
He also urged SAP to assist in training a substantial, high-caliber tech workforce, aligning with the government’s objective of cultivating 50,000 to 100,000 semiconductor and AI engineers. SAP stands as a worldwide frontrunner in enterprise software and artificial intelligence (AI), boasting a market capitalization exceeding €310 billion.
Manik Saha, managing director of SAP Labs in Singapore and Vietnam, stated that the organization is dedicated to establishing a talent ecosystem by engaging with Vietnamese tech experts and collaborating with local universities to generate sustainable career prospects for young people.
Asia Manufacturing Review
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08 August 20252 min readSap Invests $175 Million In Vietnam R&D Center
Asia Manufacturing Review
08 August 2025
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