Ford seeks state help for $500M hybrid projects
Bryce G. Hoffman / The Detroit News
Ford Motor Co. will invest up to $500 million and create more than a thousand new jobs in Michigan to support its electric vehicle programs if state lawmakers expand an existing incentive program and approve $85 million in tax credits, the company said Tuesday.
If those conditions are met, the Dearborn automaker would engineer and assemble battery packs for a new generation of hybrid vehicles in Michigan. Ford also would commit to manufacturing a new hybrid and plug-in hybrid here that would be based on the same platform as the new Ford Focus it plans to unveil in Detroit in January.
These moves would consolidate much of Ford's electric vehicle research, development, engineering and manufacturing in the state. Nancy Gioia, director of Ford's global electrification programs, said Michigan's commitment to battery technology and manufacturing makes it a great fit for Ford's plan, which she said would benefit the state.
"It promotes Michigan's competitiveness," she said. "It strengthens Michigan's advanced technology manufacturing base. It really is an engine for economic growth."
A spokeswoman for Gov. Jennifer Granholm said the governor supports Ford's request.
Last year, the state authorized tax credits for high-capacity lithium-ion battery pack assembly. Now, Ford is asking the state to expand those incentives to include lower-capacity batteries used in hybrid vehicles.
Specifically, Ford is asking for $85 million in tax credits from that program through 2014, and an additional $35 million beyond 2014 if the lithium-ion cells used in the battery packs are manufactured in Michigan.
my math must be fuzzy but that totals 120 million in tax relief..
Bryce G. Hoffman / The Detroit News
Ford Motor Co. will invest up to $500 million and create more than a thousand new jobs in Michigan to support its electric vehicle programs if state lawmakers expand an existing incentive program and approve $85 million in tax credits, the company said Tuesday.
If those conditions are met, the Dearborn automaker would engineer and assemble battery packs for a new generation of hybrid vehicles in Michigan. Ford also would commit to manufacturing a new hybrid and plug-in hybrid here that would be based on the same platform as the new Ford Focus it plans to unveil in Detroit in January.
These moves would consolidate much of Ford's electric vehicle research, development, engineering and manufacturing in the state. Nancy Gioia, director of Ford's global electrification programs, said Michigan's commitment to battery technology and manufacturing makes it a great fit for Ford's plan, which she said would benefit the state.
"It promotes Michigan's competitiveness," she said. "It strengthens Michigan's advanced technology manufacturing base. It really is an engine for economic growth."
A spokeswoman for Gov. Jennifer Granholm said the governor supports Ford's request.
Last year, the state authorized tax credits for high-capacity lithium-ion battery pack assembly. Now, Ford is asking the state to expand those incentives to include lower-capacity batteries used in hybrid vehicles.
Specifically, Ford is asking for $85 million in tax credits from that program through 2014, and an additional $35 million beyond 2014 if the lithium-ion cells used in the battery packs are manufactured in Michigan.
my math must be fuzzy but that totals 120 million in tax relief..
