Ford says it has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Kentucky with the announcement of plans to build a new $1bn paint shop at Kentucky Truck Plant, replacing the facility’s existing paint shop and further modernising one of Ford’s most important manufacturing operations. Groundbreaking is expected by late this year.

The announcement builds on Ford’s recent investments across Kentucky, including approximately $2 billion for the transformation of Louisville Assembly Plant into the new manufacturing centre for Ford’s new Universal Electric Vehicle Platform. A further $2 billion investment is planned for Ford Energy Systems in Glendale, which will manufacture battery energy storage systems.

Ford says Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville is Ford Motor Company’s largest and highest revenue plant, where a vehicle rolls off the assembly line every 45 seconds.

“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,” said Jim Farley, Ford President and CEO. “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.”