Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) announced the addition of 1,550 fresh positions at various facilities. The move is expected to help boost production of the new F-150, which features aluminum-alloy body. The company also disclosed that hundreds of employees will transition to a higher hourly wage as part of the remuneration negotiations reached in 2011.

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Strong demand calls for more production

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) said the new jobs will be added at its facilities in Sterling Axle, Dearborn Stamping, Kansas City Assembly and Dearborn Diversified during the current quarter. According to Ford’s President for the Americas, Joe Hinrichs, they are witnessing strong demand for the 2015 F-150. Hinrichs disclosed that they are currently selling as many trucks as they can build, and they plan to boost their output to meet the demand.

700 pounds lighter

According to Hinrichs, one reason for the huge demand for the 2015 F-150 is that customers have recognized the unique quality of the truck as being the smartest and the toughest in its segment. The new F-150 truck features steel frames and aluminum-alloy body, making it 700 pounds lighter than the previous F-150 versions.

Despite the light weight of the new truck, it can haul 530 pounds and tow another 1,000 pounds more than the 2014 model. The light weight of the 2015 F-150 gives it greater fuel economy.

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) will add 900 jobs of the 1,500 new positions at Kansas City Assembly. Another 500 jobs will be distributed to Dearborn Diversified and Dearborn Stamping. Sterling Axle is expected to take 150 jobs.

The company also said 300-500 employees will transition to $28.50 hourly wage from $19.28 hourly wage.

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) has expanded U.S. operations, investing over $6.2 billion in manufacturing facilities and exceeding its 12,000 hourly jobs target in the U.S. by 2015.

Best January sales in seven years

The company had its best ever January sales this year in nearly seven years. January sales at Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) rose 16%, mostly helped by strong pickup line.