To meet demand for the 2020 Ford Explorer, Police Interceptor Utility and Lincoln Aviator, Ford Motor Co. announced Thursday it will add 500 jobs and invest $1 billion in the Chicago Assembly and Stamping plants.

"More jobs is always a good thing for everybody," said Ford spokeswoman Kelli Felker. "We've actually been here in Chicago for over 100 years. We've very excited to keep up our commitment."

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Ford's Joe Hinrichs, president of global operations, revealed the news to Ford factory workers in Chicago. The company is working with job placement companies in the Windy City with hopes of filling the positions locally.

Ford said the new plant investments will improve manufacturing technology and workforce training, speed up the delivery time and improve overall quality of the popular SUVs that go on sale in coming months.

With the new 500 full-time jobs, employment at the two Ford plants totals about 5,800.

Projects will focus on a new body shop and paint shop at Chicago Assembly, and major modifications to the final assembly area. At Chicago Stamping, the company is adding new lines. Plant technology includes a robot with a camera that inspects electrical connections during the manufacturing process. Several 3-D printed tools will be installed to help workers produce these vehicles, Ford said in its statement.

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In addition, Ford said it will spend $40 million on improvements such as LED lighting and cafeteria updates, new break areas and parking lot security upgrades.

The transformation at the plant will begin in March and be completed before summer.

The production of three new SUVs will add to Ford’s output in the U.S., where the company has its strongest global presence. Ford noted it led auto exports from the U.S., building nearly 2.4 million in 2018 overall.

Ford also highlighted the fact that it employs the most hourly autoworkers in America.

“We are proud to be America’s top producer of automobiles," Hinrichs said. “We reinvented the Explorer from the ground up, and this investment will further strengthen Ford’s SUV market leadership.”

Rory Gamble, vice president of the UAW Ford department, said in a statement: "Ford's announcement of 500 additional jobs and over $1 billion in plant investments is a testament to the quality and hard work of UAW Ford members. Every day UAW Ford members head to work, proud of the products they build and the craftsmanship required in vehicles like the Explorer, Aviator and Police Interceptor."

Chicago Assembly is Ford’s longest continually operating vehicle assembly plant. The factory started producing the Model T in 1924 and was converted to war production during World War II.

All-new Ford Explorer, Explorer ST and Explorer Hybrid models are made at Chicago Assembly.

The Ford Explorer is the best-selling SUV in U.S. history.

The Explorer ST is projected to reach a top track speed of 143 miles per hour. And the rear-wheel Explorer Hybrid is expected to get an EPA-estimated range of more than 500 miles between fill-ups.

Contact Phoebe Wall Howard: 313-222-6512 or phoward@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @phoebesaid