Auto Industry Makes a Comeback

File photo

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The auto industry is making a comeback, and it couldn’t be more evident than in Kansas City, according to Missouri Senator Clair McCaskill and U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu.

Ford, in particular, is transforming its factories across the country. The Claycomo plant will received $1.1 billion in upgrades.

Chu and McCaskill said it’s a sign of good things to come. According to Chu, in the fourth quarter of 2011, the auto industry added 36,000 new jobs. In October 2011, Ford announced it was creating 1,600 new jobs at its Claycomo plant.

The plan is being re-tooled to produce a full-size transit van and more fuel efficient F-150 pickup trucks.

McCaskill said the government stepped up and decided the auto industry was worth saving. She said the creation of a $6 billion loan program was key to helping plants like Claycomo advance to become a world-class automobile manufacturer.

“We are seeing that in operation here in Kansas City, with the important loan that the Department of Energy has made to Ford, they are going to be able to retool this line,” McCaskill said.

Ford also credits recent Missouri legislation. The 2010 Missouri Manufacturing Jobs Act with its ability to advance and grow the Claycomo plant. The bill provided Ford with tax incentives to invest in the facility.