Ford will pump out more profitable big SUVs to fund its future

Southfield, Michigan: Ford Motor Co. is spending $25 million more at its Kentucky factory to pump out more of the profitable big sport utility vehicles that are critical to funding its ambitious—and expensive—electric and self-driving vehicle plans.

The investment will allow the second-largest US automaker to boost production of the new Lincoln Navigator and Ford Expedition by 25% from what the company was planning last fall, when the redesigned models first hit showrooms.

“The Expedition and Navigator products are very important to both the Ford and Lincoln lineups,” Joe Hinrichs, Ford’s president of global operations, said on a tour of the plant. “It’s really important that this plant is able to produce more because we know we have this high demand now.”

The factory—which also assembles Ford’s Super Duty pickups—is a money minter for the automaker, churning out models that analysts estimate can generate profits that exceed $10,000 a vehicle. Those earnings are essential for Ford as it plays catch-up to rivals such as General Motors Co. and Tesla Inc. in developing battery-powered cars and autonomous vehicles.

The incremental spending is on top of the $900 million investment that Ford announced for the factory in June. Upgrades to the Kentucky truck plant in Louisville include 400 new robots, improved data analytics and a parts-making 3D printer.

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