Ford says it will hire 500 new workers in January for its engine and gearbox manufacturing plant in Taubaté, 80 miles/130 km east of São Paulo City in a US$260m investment.

Production will be increased of the 1.6-litre Sigma engine that currently powers the three-America marketed Mexican Fiesta and the Argentine Focus, from 150,000 to 350,000 units yearly and to 500,000 by 2013.

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The brand has shrunk in the Brazilian market this year to a 9% share from 10.4% in 2010.

In early January next year, the first snap-shots of the the new EcoSport light SUV will be released.

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