FORD CANADA - Ford Motor Company celebrated yesterday a manufacturing milestone for its fuel-saving EcoBoost engines: two million have been produced globally since the 2009 launch of the engine line. Growing customer demand for EcoBoost-powered vehicles in major markets worldwide is driving engine production higher. Factory output now averages more than 100,000 engines per month, up from 65,000 in 2012. “Ford EcoBoost delivers great performance with lower fuel bills, a recipe that is proving incredibly popular with consumers around the world,” said Joe Bakaj, vice president, powertrain engineering for Ford Motor Company. “EcoBoost engines are attracting new customers to the Ford brand every day, and our plants are working hard to keep up with demand.” A Ford Escape powered by the two millionth production EcoBoost – a 2.0-litre unit – rolled off the line at Ford’s Louisville, Ky., last week. EcoBoost technology combines smaller overall size with turbocharging, direct injection and variable valve timing to bring customers outstanding performance and fuel economy. Ford EcoBoost engines deliver up to 20 per cent better fuel economy than larger-displacement gasoline engines. Ford’s global EcoBoost engine family now includes the 1.0-litre three-cylinder; 1.5-litre, 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines; and the powerful 3.5-litre V6. EcoBoost technology is available in every region Ford serves worldwide, and will be offered on approximately 80 per cent of the company’s global nameplates by the end of this year. Better fuel efficiency — and lower fuel bills — are the top reasons for surging sales of optional EcoBoost engines. At today’s gas prices, the Natural Resources Canada’s fuel-economy website estimates an average annual fuel bill of CDN $3,354 for a 2009 Ford F-150 2WD with a 5.4-litre V8 engine, but only CDN $2,864 for a 2013 F-150 2WD with a 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6. At this rate, a consumer would save an estimated CDN $5,039 over a vehicle life of 10 years and 240,000 kilometres. Popularity, demand rising in North America In North America, internal Ford data shows that the EcoBoost engine is now the most recognised fuel-efficient engine among consumers. The popularity of EcoBoost in North America is reflected in high take rates on key models: · 90 per cent of Ford Escape models are equipped with 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre EcoBoost engines This year, EcoBoost will be available on more than 90 per cent of North American nameplates, rising to 95 per cent by 2015. To meet demand for the award-winning 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine, Ford is investing nearly $200 million to build the engine at its Cleveland, Ohio, engine plant, with production starting in 2014. European expansion In Europe, Ford is doubling production capacity at its Cologne, Germany, engine plant to more than 1,000 engines a day. This move is in response to robust demand for the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, which was named International Engine of the Year in 2012 and 2013 by a panel of auto journalists. Already available on five European nameplates, the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine will be fitted to 11 models by 2014. The three-cylinder unit is being chosen by a growing share of customers this year, accounting for 43 per cent of B-MAX sales, 32 per cent of Focus sales, 26 per cent of Fiesta sales; and 24 per cent of C-MAX and Grand C-MAX sales. EcoBoost powertrains also are driving high demand for the Fiesta ST, with the1.6-litre EcoBoost, and Focus ST, with the 2.0-litre EcoBoost, while 18 per cent of Kuga customers are choosing the 1.6-litre EcoBoost option in a segment that traditionally favors diesel engines. Nearly 40 per cent more European customers are familiar with EcoBoost technology today compared to 2011, internal Ford data shows. The Cologne plant also has begun production of the 1.0-litre EcoBoost for the North American market. The new 2014 Ford Fiesta –which goes on sale later this year – will be the first vehicle available in the United States with the 1.0-litre engine, and is expected to be certified as the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid car available in the United States. Growth in Asia Pacific In Asia Pacific, sales of EcoBoost vehicles through August are up 202 per cent year-over-year in 2013, including a 189-per cent rise in China. Ford plans to offer the fuel-efficient engine in 20 vehicles in the region by mid-decade, a five-fold increase from 2012. Ninety-five per cent of Kuga buyers in Asia Pacific are choosing the1.6-litre EcoBoost engine, while 90 per cent of Edge owners and 62 per cent of Mondeo buyers are opting for the efficient engines. Ford will soon begin production of the 1.0-litre EcoBoost at the $500 million Changan Ford engine plant in Chongqing, China, which opened in June. ___________ Global Ford EcoBoost engine production – total since launch: Plant /Engine / Production Total 2,000,000 |