Ford Sollers has launched its new US$275m engine plant in Elabuga, Tatarstan as part of its existing commitment to increase local content and expand operations in Russia
The company maintains the new engine plant is the first of its kind to be launched under a foreign brand name in the country and will produce three versions of the 1.6-litre Duratec engine for Russian-built Ford vehicles.
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From the start of production, engines will have a significant level of local content, receiving core components from Russian suppliers and produced from domestic raw materials.
The plant is in the Alabuga special economic zone, next to one of the three Ford Sollers vehicle assembly plants in Russia.
The facility has an annual capacity of up to 105,000 units, with the possibility for further expansion of up to 200,000 engines a year. At least 30% of Russian-built Ford vehicles will be equipped with the locally-built engines.
The production process is compliant with Ford global standards of production and includes machining of the crankshaft, block, cylinder head as well as assembly line, and quality control.
“The new Elabuga Engine Plant shows our business plans are on track, and Ford Sollers is becoming an increasingly important contributor to the Russian automotive industry,” said Ford Sollers president and CEO, Mark Ovenden.
“This is an advanced technology facility which brings Ford best practices and competences to Russia, and will help us to further strengthen our position in the country by offering localised products, specially-tailored for Russian customers,” said Ovenden.
“Our main target in line with our long-term localisation strategy was to launch engine production with a significant level of localisation. We are not only sourcing main parts from Russian companies, but they also are manufactured from local raw materials.
The plant will build three versions of the 1.6-litre, normally-aspirated Duratec gasoline engine in 85 PS, 105 PS and 125 PS power levels. The Duratec was the first Ford engine with block, cylinder head, crankcase and pistons all made of aluminum.
Earlier this year Ford Sollers launched four new models in Russia, including the new Mondeo, new Focus, new Fiesta and new Transit.
Together with the EcoSport, Kuga and Explorer , Ford Sollers produces seven vehicles in Russia covering all popular vehicle segments.
