Ford Motor Company plans to invest $1 billion to build a new state-of-the-art paint shop at its Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, further modernizing what the company describes as its largest and highest-revenue manufacturing plant in the U.S.
The new paint shop will replace the facility’s existing paint operation, with groundbreaking expected by the end of 2026. Ford said the project is intended to improve paint quality, efficiency and environmental sustainability while supporting the plant’s long-term competitiveness.
Kentucky Truck Plant is one of Ford’s most important U.S. manufacturing operations, with a vehicle coming off its assembly line approximately every 45 seconds.
The Louisville facility currently produces F-Series Super Duty pickups along with the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs.
The $1 billion investment expands a broader wave of capital spending by Ford across Kentucky.
Ford is separately investing approximately $2 billion to transform Louisville Assembly Plant into the manufacturing center for its Universal Electric Vehicle Platform.
That project will support production of the Ford Fathom, a midsize electric pickup expected to launch in 2027. Ford expects the Louisville Assembly Plant investment to create or secure approximately 2,200 jobs while transforming the facility into one of its most advanced and flexible EV manufacturing operations.
Ford is also investing approximately $2 billion at Ford Energy Systems in Glendale, Kentucky, where it plans to convert a former battery manufacturing site into a large-scale producer of battery energy storage systems.
The Glendale project is expected to create at least 2,100 new jobs and support annual production capacity of at least 20 gigawatt-hours of energy storage. Production is scheduled to begin in late 2027.
Together, the projects underscore Kentucky’s importance across several parts of Ford’s manufacturing strategy, spanning traditional trucks and SUVs, electric vehicles and stationary battery energy storage.
Ford employs more than 11,500 people in Kentucky and has operated in the state for more than a century. Its Kentucky history dates to 1913, when the first Model T was produced in Louisville. The state is also home to more than 6,000 Ford retirees.
A 2020 Boston Consulting Group study cited by Ford estimated that the company contributes approximately $11.7 billion annually to Kentucky’s GDP and that nearly 120,000 people in the state are employed by Ford or its suppliers and dealers.
A separate 2023 report from University of Louisville Professor Thomas Lambert estimated Ford’s total economic impact in Kentucky, including vendors and suppliers, at more than $33 billion.
The company said its broader manufacturing investments reflect confidence in Kentucky’s workforce and the long-term role of U.S. manufacturing in Ford’s mobility and energy businesses.
Ford also highlighted its manufacturing position nationally, saying it is the leading U.S. automaker based on vehicles assembled domestically, hourly autoworkers employed and vehicle exports.
The new Kentucky Truck Plant paint operation is expected to incorporate upgraded technology designed to provide cleaner and more efficient paint quality while reducing environmental impact.
The project adds another significant modernization initiative to a Kentucky manufacturing footprint that Ford is increasingly using for both its established vehicle franchises and emerging EV and energy-storage businesses.
KEY QUOTES:
“For more than a century, Ford and Kentucky have grown together, and we’re investing to ensure that relationship remains strong for generations to come. These investments demonstrate our confidence in Kentucky’s workforce, our commitment to American manufacturing, and our belief that the future of mobility and energy will be built right here in the United States.”
Jim Farley, President and CEO of Ford Motor Company
“From our past to our present and our future, Ford is a central part of Kentucky’s story, which continues to show the world that American manufacturing remains strong. Today’s announcement highlights Ford’s longstanding commitment to our state and to our workforce, and I am grateful to Bill Ford, Jim Farley and the entire Ford team for this investment. With announcements like this and the help of the dedicated Kentuckians who make the Kentucky Truck Plant a success, I know our future is bright.”
Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky
“Louisville is America’s home for advanced manufacturing, and Ford just announced that it’s not just staying in Louisville, it’s going all in. Ford’s announcement today is a vote of confidence in our city and shows the world that Louisville is an incredible place to grow a business. We’re proud to be Ford’s partner as they build the future of American manufacturing in Louisville.”
Craig Greenberg, Mayor of Louisville
