KANSAS CITY—The American auto industry continues to revive, and foreign investors are showing increased interest. The Spanish automotive company Grupo Antolin North America is just the latest overseas manufacturer to kick off a new project in Kansas City. It has just decided to invest more than $15.7 million in a 148,800-square-foot automotive manufacturing facility at 1601 Southern Rd., creating an estimated 118 new jobs, according to the Kansas City Area Development Council.

The new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility will initially produce interior overhead liners for the new Ford Transit van, which Ford will manufacture at its Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo. That plant is currently undergoing a $1.1 billion expansion. Furthermore, as reported in GlobeSt.com, Yanfeng USA Automotive Trim Systems recently decided to locate a new manufacturing plant in Riverside Horizons, a 260-acre industrial park in suburban Riverside.

"Kansas City represents enormous opportunities for Grupo Antolin," said Max Rogers, president of Grupo Antolin North America. "Missouri's friendly corporate climate and close proximity to major automakers put us in a position to better serve our clients and continue to grow."

“Grupo's investment demonstrates our region's strength as a manufacturing and transportation powerhouse,” said Bob Marcusse, president and CEO, Kansas City Area Development Council. Ford's plant, he added, “was the nation's busiest auto plant last year, producing nearly a half-million units.”

"Grupo Antolin's decision to locate a brand new manufacturing facility and create 118 new jobs in Kansas City is another example of how Ford's record investment in Claycomo continues to have positive ripple effects throughout this region," said Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon.

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Grupo Antolin Will Invest $16M in 148K Plant

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