SF Motors, a global intelligent electric vehicle (EV) company will invest more than $160 million to establish manufacturing operations in Mishawaka, IN. The California-based company has acquired AM General’s vacant plant in Mishawaka with plans to create up to 467 new jobs by 2020. As part of SF Motors’ job creation plans, the company intends to hire many of the displaced workers from the former manufacturing facility.
“Northern Indiana has a rich history of manufacturing vehicles, a mature supplier network and a highly skilled talent pool with luxury automotive experience. All these advantages make Mishawaka the perfect location to manufacture our intelligent connected EVs,” said John Zhang, founder and chief executive officer of SF Motors. “We are proud to partner with Indiana to restore up to 467 jobs to the local economy. We see this partnership as the beginning of a bright and prosperous future.”
SF Motors’ investment will include the acquisition, renovation and equipment for the 675,500-square-foot manufacturing facility. The vacant facility, which was acquired by SF Motors in November, will be equipped to manufacture at least two lines of its first EV models and serve as the company’s primary U.S.-based manufacturing plant. The 35-acre campus will feature advanced automation and house the company’s body and paint shop, general assembly and office administration. With its growth, SF Motors plans to begin trial production before the end of the year.
“Indiana’s reputation as a destination for business continues to be heard across the U.S. and around the world, attracting companies like SF Motors,” said Governor Eric J. Holcomb. “With a world of options, we’re thrilled SF Motors chose to expand in Indiana. We look forward to witnessing their continued success in Indiana as they develop 21st-century solutions with the help of our talented Hoosier workforce.”
Pending approval from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) Board of Directors, Indiana will offer SF Motors Inc. up to $3.847 million in conditional tax credits and up to $500,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, so until employees are hired, the company is not eligible to claim the incentives. The IEDC also offered up to $653,000 in conditional tax credits from the Industrial Recovery Tax Credit (“DINO”) program, which encourages companies to invest in former industrial facilities requiring significant rehabilitation or remodeling expenses. The county of St. Joseph will consider additional incentives at the request of the St. Joseph County Office of Economic Development.
“We are thrilled to have SF Motors join our community, and not since the days of Studebaker has St. Joe County been on the cutting edge of automobile technology,” said Andrew Kostielney, president of the St. Joseph County Commissioners. “We anticipate SF Motors will be an industry leader who will positively influence our region for generations to come.”
SF Motors currently employs more than 300 associates across the U.S. The company has already started hiring and plans to have around 200 people working at the facility by the end of this year.
Founded in 2016, SF Motors is headquartered in Silicon Valley with facilities across the world, including manufacturing sites in China and Indiana and research and development facilities in the U.S., Germany and China.
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