Ford is to invest $129 million in its Louisville assembly plant to ‘fast track’ the production of the new Lincoln MKC.

The US car giant will also recruit 300 new workers to produce this small premium utility vehicle, which is set to be introduced by 2016.

Plant manager Daryl Sykes said: “The 2015 Lincoln MKC will attract new customers. To have the opportunity to build an all-new vehicle — the first small utility ever from Lincoln — is very exciting for the hard-working men and women at the Louisville facility.”