Photo of 2017 Focus courtesy of Ford.

Photo of 2017 Focus courtesy of Ford.

Ford is shifting production of its next-generation 2019 Focus compact car to China from Mexico, and will invest $900 million in its Kentucky Truck Plant to expand production for the new Expedition and Lincoln Navigator, Ford has announced.

Early production vehicles of the 2018 Focus will come from China, and eventually vehicles produced in Europe will be shipped to the U.S. market. Ford will continue producing the current Focus at the Michigan Assembly Plant until the middle of 2018, when it will convert that plant to produce the Ranger midsize pickup in late 2018 and Bronco midsize SUV in 2020.

Ford's Mexico production plans came into the cross-hairs of President Trump, who tweeted about the issue prior to taking office. Ford initially said it would build the 2019 Focus in Hermosillo, Mexico, rather than at a new plant it would build in San Luis Potosi. Ford scrapped plans for the San Luis Potosi plant in January.

Ford is also investing in its Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville by "securing 1,000 U.S. hourly jobs" for its redesigned large SUVs. The plant also builts Ford's Super Duty trucks. Ford will export the 2018 Expedition and Navigator to 55 markets. It will ship the Navigator to China.

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