Ford CEO: Production plans on track despite election

Associated Press

DETROIT

Ford Motor Co. CEO Mark Fields says the presidential election won’t change the company’s plans to move small-car production to Mexico.

President-elect Donald Trump has criticized Ford for moving production to Mexico. Trump wants to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement and has called for a 35-percent tariff on goods shipped from Mexico.

In an interview with CNBC Tuesday, Fields said Ford is proceeding with its plan to move Focus car production from Michigan to a new plant in Mexico by 2018. He said no jobs will be lost, since the Michigan plant will make two other vehicles.

Fields warned that a tariff would affect the entire industry – and autoworkers’ profit-sharing checks – since many companies sell Mexican- and Canadian-made vehicles or parts.