- Ford (F -0.3%) plans to move production of the next-gen Focus and C-Max models to Mexico in 2018.
- Both cars are currently produced at plants in Michigan.
- The automaker says it will discuss the future of the Michigan plants during its upcoming contract negotiations with the UAW.
- The big picture: Detroit automakers are expected to use the low-cost option of producing cars in Mexico as a bargaining chip in the contract talks with the UAW set to start in August. While nearly all the major automakers have added capacity in Mexico over the last year, so far it's been Canada which has been hit harder than Detroit from the trend.