the company is being pr-savvy, given current public opinion, in tying the decision to invest in electric vehicles in michigan to the decision to not build the new plant in mexico. then, they're taking advantage of the news cycle to cash in on what is essentially free advertising.
they're getting the opportunity to speak in prime time slots on every news network in the country, and the opportunity to spin a policy as pro-american when they do. you can't dream of that kind of marketing exposure.
so, this is a smart pr move for ford.
but, i think it's pretty clear that these were independent decisions - and i think he's clear, here, on what is driving them: low demand for small fuel efficiency vehicles, and the reality that american (and canadian) workers are still superior when it comes to more complicated types of engineering.
if there's a positive in the announcement, it is in the idea that ford may be projecting more market demand for electric vehicles in the "small car" category. that production was never going to be in mexico, anyways....or at least not in the medium term.