Today Magna announced it has entered into a joint venture (JV) with LAN Manufacturing, a minority-owned automotive supplier based in Michigan. The JV, to be called LM Manufacturing, will assemble complete seats for various trucks and SUVs for Ford Motor Co., operating from a 296,000-square-foot leased facility in Detroit, Michigan. Magna will own a 49% stake.

Production is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2023 and is expected to bring-in more than 390 jobs to the city of Detroit. The Michigan Strategic Fund has awarded a $2 million grant to the JV.

“We are excited about this opportunity with LM Manufacturing as we continue supporting Ford on some of their high-volume vehicle programs,” said Magna Seating President John Wyskiel. “We expect the joint venture to complement the seating capabilities and footprint we already have in the state.”

“As a minority business enterprise, we are especially excited to invest in the city of Detroit and to work with Magna, a leading mobility technology company,” said Sylvester Hester, CEO of LAN, and president of LM Manufacturing.

“This investment by LM Manufacturing in Michigan demonstrates the strength of our mobility and EV ecosystem, as well as our state’s continued automotive manufacturing prowess,” said Quentin Messer Jr., CEO of the MEDC and president and Chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund. “This project is a win for Southeast Michigan and for the entire state. It is a team effort with the Detroit Regional Partnership and our other local partners to bring these jobs to Detroit residents. We look forward to working with LM Manufacturing as collectively, we shape the future of transportation.”