By Bernie Woodall
DETROIT (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co
The announcement casts doubt on the future of one of Ford's largest U.S. factories and comes just days before executives and leaders of the United Auto Workers formally kick off talks toward a new labor agreement. The UAW is expected to push for wage increases and fight company proposals to scale back healthcare costs.
Ford did not say where it would build the next-generation Focus and C-Max for the U.S. market. But less than three months ago, the company said it would spend $2.5 billion on engine and transmission plants in Mexico.
Ford has assembly plants in Mexico that make Fusion midsize sedans and Fiesta small cars.
Spokeswoman Kristina Adamski said the company must make production decisions that allow it to remain competitive.
"We actively are pursuing future vehicle alternatives to produce at Michigan Assembly and will discuss this issue with United Auto Workers leadership as part of the upcoming negotiations," she said.
Ford, like crosstown rivals General Motors Co
Michigan Assembly in Wayne was among 13 Ford factories that benefited from a $5.9 billion loan from the U.S. Department of Energy in 2009.
Jimmy Settles, the union's chief liaison and negotiator with Ford, said in a statement: "We are extremely confident that a new product commitment will be secured during the upcoming 2015 negotiations and that the Michigan Assembly Plant will maintain a full production schedule."
U.S. first-half sales were down 3 percent for the Focus and 17 percent for the C-Max.
(Reporting by Bernie Woodall; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)
