Ford plans to hire 11,000 workers in U.S. and Asia in 2014December 13, 2013 - 18:11 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Ford has announced plans to hire 11,000 workers in the U.S. and Asia in 2014 as part of a global expansion plan, BBC News reports. Ford intends to launch 23 new vehicles around the world next year, more than double the number released in 2013. The company says it will be the fastest expansion in 50 years, and includes the new Lincoln MKC and all-new Transit family of commercial vehicles. About 5,000 workers will be hired in the U.S. and 6,000 in Asia, where Ford is opening two plants in China next year. The recruitment drive represents an increase of close to 7% of Ford's total workforce and is the biggest hiring push the firm has made since 2000. Ford's president of the Americas, John Hinrichs, made the announcement at an event introducing a new research vehicle testing driverless technology. Among Ford's new offerings in 2014 are a revamped Mustang sports car, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary next year, and a Lincoln MKC small utility. "This is the fastest and most aggressive manufacturing expansion the company has undergone in 50 years," said John Fleming, executive vice president, Ford global manufacturing. "The last time Ford was growing like this, Dwight D. Eisenhower was the U.S. president." Next year, Ford is due to open its Changan Ford Assembly Plant and Changan Transmission Plant in Chongqing, China, as well as Camacari Engine Plant in Brazil. The new Chongqing Assembly Plant will increase the company's production capacity in China by 300,000 units next year. Related links: Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |