Ford to bring 1,200 new jobs to Chicago

Next gen Explorer with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine set for Chicago production In what had to be the worst kept secret in recent memory, Ford today announced it will produce the next-generation Ford Explorer SUV at the company?s Chicago Assembly Plant beginning in the fourth quarter of this year. The major news outlets were running stories as early as yesterday afternoon ;) Ford is investing nearly $400 million in its Chicago manufacturing facilities to launch production of the new, fuel-efficient Ford Explorer. The company also will add 1,200 new jobs to staff a second production shift at Chicago Assembly Plant.