Ford starting up 2.0L EcoBoost engine production in Ohio
Fri, 22 Feb 2013
Ford is planning to build its popular EcoBoost engines regionally to maximize production capacity and meet customer demand. Last year, Ford sold 334,364 vehicles with EcoBoost engines in the US alone, and that number is expected to swell to more than 500,000 by the end of this year, with global sales expected to total 1.6 million. By 2015, Ford says that 95 percent of its nameplates will offer an EcoBoost engine.
One such vehicle that could be adding an EcoBoost engine, according to Automotive News, is none other than the 2015 Ford Mustang. The report says that Ford could use either the 2.0-liter EcoBoost or an upcoming 2.3-liter EcoBoost in the sixth-generation pony car.
Ford Invests Millions in Cleveland Engine Plant, Supports Growing Customer Demand for EcoBoost Engines
-Ford plans to more than double its EcoBoost®-equipped vehicle sales globally this year
-Production of 2.0-liter EcoBoost for North America at Cleveland Engine Plant in Ohio to begin in late 2014
-Ford more than halfway to its goal to create more than 12,000 hourly jobs in the U.S. by 2015
-Production of 2.0-liter EcoBoost engines for North American vehicles moves from Valencia, Spain to Cleveland; Valencia will remain the exclusive production location for the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine for Ford of Europe-built vehicles; There is no impact on employment at the Valencia plant
DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 21, 2013 – To meet rising consumer demand for the award-winning 2.0-liter EcoBoost® engine, Ford Motor Company will invest nearly $200 million and add 450 new jobs at its Cleveland Engine Plant.
"This is our One Ford plan at its best – giving customers the power of choice to decide which fuel-efficient engine is best tailored to their needs," said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president of The Americas. "Cleveland Engine Plant was the first to produce EcoBoost engines and will continue to be a cornerstone of Ford's strategy to deliver affordable fuel economy for millions."
The hiring builds on the creation of more than 8,100 salaried and hourly jobs in the U.S. last year, including 1,000 in-sourced hourly positions. Ford is more than halfway to its goal of creating 12,000 hourly jobs in the U.S. by 2015 to support new products and investment. Additionally, the company announced last month it plans to hire 2,200 salaried workers in the U.S. in 2013 to fill jobs in such key areas as Product Development, Manufacturing and IT.
Production of the 2.0-liter EcoBoost for North America is currently based in Valencia, Spain. The investment in Cleveland will shift North American production to Ohio, while Ford's Valencia Engine Plant will remain the exclusive production location of the 2.0-liter EcoBoost for Ford of Europe-built vehicles. Valencia will continue to produce and ship parts for these engines to North America.
Overall employment at the Valencia plant will not be impacted. The Valencia Engine Plant will transfer some employees to Valencia Assembly Plant to support increased production for C-MAX, Kuga, Transit Connect and Tourneo Connect.
Ford is making the move to assemble engines regionally to help meet rising consumer demand for the award-winning 2.0-liter EcoBoost and to optimize production capabilities around the world.
Production of the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine will begin in North America in late 2014. Cleveland Engine Plant currently builds the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine and 3.7-liter V6. The Ohio facility employs approximately 1,300 people. It has built more than 500,000 3.5-liter EcoBoost engines since 2009.
EcoBoost cornerstone
EcoBoost is the cornerstone of Ford's global engine strategy to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Ford will expand EcoBoost production to 1.6 million engines this year – nearly 100,000 above the previous target.
Delivering up to 20 percent better fuel economy than larger-displacement engines, EcoBoost uses smaller overall size combined with turbocharging, gasoline direct injection and variable valve timing to bring customers outstanding performance without sacrificing fuel economy.
This year EcoBoost will be available on more than 90 percent of North American nameplates and by 2015, 95 percent of Ford nameplates will be available with EcoBoost engine technology. In 2013 Ford expects to sell more than 500,000 EcoBoost-equipped vehicles in the U.S. – a sizeable increase over the 334,364 EcoBoost vehicles sold in 2012.
The 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine to be built in Cleveland is currently available in the Ford Explorer, Edge, all-new Escape and all-new Fusion, Focus ST, Taurus and new Lincoln MKZ and MKT Livery. The engine has won a coveted Ward's 10 Best Engines trophy each year it has been available in North America.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 171,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.
By Jeffrey N. Ross
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