Ford Motor Company has said in a press release that it will be investing $1.3 billion and adding 2,000 jobs to its truck plant in Kentucky.
The move is to support the launch of its all-new Ford F-Series Super Duty truck.
Ford said in the press release that the investment is for the all-new body shop, facility upgrades and retooling to build the new aluminum-bodied Super Duty truck.
The new investment raises the automaker's total investment to $1.5 million in the commonwealth of Kentucky and the city of Louisville since 2014.
Ford adds in the press release that they have already invested $80 million in its Kentucky truck plant in 2014 to support the growing demand for the Super Duty trucks
The automaker also invested $129 million in its assembly plant in Louisville to support the production of the Lincoln MKC.
Joe Hinrichs, Ford president of The Americas, said in the press release that they expect to "continue growing" their truck leadership in the U.S. with the new Ford Super Duty.
"Through this investment, we are continuing to show our commitment to Kentucky and the city of Louisville, as well as bringing to customers industry-leading trucks to help them take care of business and earn a living," he said.
The Wall Street Journal said that Ford's investment represents 20 percent of the company's typical rate of annual capital spending.
The job additions also represent the company's first major workforce expansion since it signed a new labor contract with the United Auto Workers union-represented employees last month.
The Wall Street Journal adds that adding jobs to Ford's high-profile truck plant shows that the company's strategy is to expand production of larger vehicles in the U.S while moving more of its small-car manufacturing to lower-cost countries.
The automaker is moving most of its small-car production to countries like Mexico, as rising labor costs threaten to slow investments in domestic auto factories.
Ford said in the press release that the new 2017 F-Series Super Duty pickup and chassis cab lineup will be the toughest, smartest, and most capable ever.
The new trucks will feature a military-grade aluminum alloy body and stronger axles, springs, and suspension.
Ford adds in the press release that the new trucks will also feature seven cameras and an adaptive steering technology.
The company expects the new Super Duty trucks to go on sale next year.
