'Absolutely not,' says Ford CEO on Donald Trump's claim of jobs lost to Mexico
Updated Sep 15, 2016 ; Posted Sep 15, 2016
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By David Muller | dmuller@mlive.com
DETROIT - Ford Motor Co. CEO Mark Fields said Thursday no U.S. jobs will be lost in its latest major investment south of the border.
On Wednesday, Fields confirmed during an investor event the company is shifting all of its small car production to Mexico, a move that observers had seen in the works for the better part of a year.
Ford is not the only company making such a shift, as more profitable SUVs and trucks become the focus of automakers' U.S. production.
Nevertheless, the Dearborn automaker has found itself in the crosshairs of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
Trump was in Flint on Wednesday, where he reportedly called Ford's decision "horrible" and said the move would result in lost jobs.
The Dearborn automaker has found itself in the crosshairs of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who was in Flint Wednesday, where he reportedly called Ford's decision "horrible" and said the move would result in lost jobs.
Trump has also said he would charge a 35 percent tax on any car coming over the border.
Fields fired back on CNN Thursday afternoon, saying, "it's really unfortunate when politics get in way of the facts."
Fields reiterated the company's commitment to the U.S., noting Ford has added more than 28,000 jobs there in the last five years, and invested more than $12 billion. He said Ford produces more vehicles and has more hourly workers in the U.S. than any other automaker.
Asked if any jobs would be lost in the move of small car production to Mexico, Fields said, "Absolutely not. Zero."
He noted that the company has two products coming to its Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, where the outgoing Focus and C-Max cars are currently built. Those replacement vehicles are widely expected to be the Ranger pickup and an SUV, possibly a rebooted Bronco.
"So not one job will be lost," Fields said.
CNN's Poppy Harlow also asked Fields about Trump's proposed 35% tariff, which would need Congressional support to become a reality.
Fields declined to talk in "hypotheticals," but in general said the company would remain a global operation.
"Overall we just want to set the facts straight," Fields said, adding, "The facts are our commitment to investment and jobs in America has never been stronger."