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Read the rest of this articleMichigan scores green jobs from Ford’s hybrid battery packs
Earlier this year Ford hinted that they were eager to invest money in Michigan by consolidating car and hybrid battery pack production in the state. According to a letter sent to employees at Ford’s Rawsonville Plant in Ypsilanti Township, a hybrid battery facility has finally been chosen.
Ford made their plans known during the 2010 Auto Show in Detroit but didn’t reveal any specific details outside of a possible $450 million investment. They were most likely waiting for word from the state government that was eager to bring skilled and green jobs to the state. Later that month, the Michigan Economic Growth Authority approved $188 million in tax breaks to help Ford set up hybrid battery pack operations.
The Rawsonville Components Plant has a long history with Ford dating back to the 1950’s. It employed more than 2,600 people in the 1980’s and currently employs 780. The shift to green technology may be because items the plant produces like carbon canisters and starters are losing money for the company.
The letter sent to plant employees doesn’t contain a lot of details but does confirm that they will supply “hybrid battery packs to the Michigan Assembly Plant.” Ford and the UAW are still hammering out details such as production scheduling and staffing issues. There isn’t any word yet on the number of new jobs for the plant, but the Detroit Free Press estimates as many as 1,000 new positions may be added statewide because of Ford’s $450 million investment.
The prospect of new jobs is welcome news to any community in Michigan with the current economic climate. Yipsilanti Township was set to lose two more auto plants this year, including GM’s powertrain facility.
Ford’s move may have been tied to the tax breaks offered by the state but they are also listening to their customers. In 2009, overall hybrid sales were down 11% but Ford saw a 67% increase in their hybrid sales over 2008.
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Comments
I am having difficulty starting the car, even though I changed the battery a month ago. At times, I hear only a click when I turn the ignition key. Why is this so?
Battery pack
bad connection somewhere, check all wires/connections to and from the battery
1000 new green jobs is great news. There was not much details available from Ford but when some big companies have been busy cutting thousands of jobs, Ford, with it's $450 million investment has come like a solution to those jobless people. Instead of getting engaged in mines which does not use clean coal technology or some hazardous factories it is better to work for Fords where both the motive and the jobs has green concepts. And better still we won't be running our cars on some foreign oils.
I think that anytime a state can bring in jobs is fantastic. Car companies still seem to be the companies that have the edge over being able to provide many jobs. If more companies switch their mind set to "green" then we should be able to provide many more job opportunities. I am happy to see companies like Ford thinking ahead with their hybrid battery pack production. car loans Indianapolis
These green jobs initiatives seem to become popular now. I recently read a study from a German newspaper, that the number of so called green jobs will double until the end of 2012. This is a pretty interessting fact and hopefully will help our nature to come back stronger. Apart from my currentl tickets vergleich i also considered to start in a green job. Might be interessting for the future.
I believe Ford needs this change, let's hope it will also turn into a business advantage for the US market although I think other car manufacturers may have the same plans. Needless to say that I am a Ford fan, I own a Ford for two years and pay <a rel="follow" href="http://www.quoteme.ie">car insurance Ireland</a> quotes for it at some convenient rates because the car has a good rating in the eyes of the insurance company.
$450 million is quite an investment. I can't wait too see more specific details. I think Ford is one of the best car companies. I know that maybe I'm being subjective because my uncle used to work at Ford and he told me about the good products they have. Anyway, I'm not interested in having the best car, I just want a good one. I'm not demanding because I know that I will always donate car to charity when I get bored of it and I want a new one. That is because I don't buy very expensive vehicles.
I guess it's worth doing such a big investment. First of all because you come up with a very good product and secondly because you become even more popular. And we know what a big car company Ford is. They only have to move a finger to get our attention. It is very known. When I bought my car I contacted the Ford dealers and everything went very fast. They even suggested me where to search for car insurance Ireland. I respect people who do their jobs well and who realize that satisfying the client is very important!