Ford chooses China over Mexico to save $1 billion

Ford Motor Co's choosing China over Mexico to produce the next generation of its Focus small car comes down to one thing: saving an estimated $1 billion.

"We've made the decision because it allows us to reduce global Focus production by one plant, improve the health of our Focus business, save $1 billion in investment costs and further improve our scale in China," said Sinead Phipps, a Ford spokeswoman.

Dearborn, Michigan-based Ford said on Tuesday that in the second half of 2019 production of the new model will start at its Changan facility in Chongqing, China. The company already makes the Focus in China for buyers there.