Ford Motor Co. Thursday confirmed that it will invest nearly $200 million and add 450 new jobs at an engine plant in Ohio. The investment and jobs at the Dearborn-based automaker’s Cleveland Engine Plant are to meet rising consumer demand for the 2.0-liter “EcoBoost” engine, according to Ford.
FILE-This Tuesday, May 19, 2009 file photo shows Larry Warner pressure testing lines for the turbocharger on Ford's EcoBoost V-6 at Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1 in Brook Park, Ohio. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan, File)DEARBORN- Ford Motor Co. Thursday confirmed that it will invest nearly $200 million and add 450 new jobs at an engine plant in Ohio.
The investment and jobs at the Dearborn-based automaker’s Cleveland Engine Plant are to meet rising consumer demand for its 2.0-liter “EcoBoost” engine, according to Ford.
Production of the 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 about 1,300 people.
“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,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president of The Americas, in a statement.
Production of engine 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.
View full sizeIn 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.Ford said 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.
This year EcoBoost will be available on more than 90 percent of North American nameplates, according to Ford. By 2015, Ford plans for 95 percent of nameplates to be available with EcoBoost engine technology.
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.
In 2013, Ford expects to sell more than 500,000 EcoBoost-equipped vehicles in the U.S. The automaker sold 334,364 EcoBoost vehicles in 2012.
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