The Bridgend plant in south Wales is to be the main European build location for Ford’s new global 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine.
Today’s (22 April) announcement follows a GBP12m package of investment in the plant by the Welsh government. This will see employment at the facility rise to 2,300 workers, the highest in the 33 years that Bridgend has been in operation. Ford says 2,668 four-cylinder engines are currently built there daily, with exports to Spain, Sweden, Germany, Russia, Belgium and the USA. This delivers a claimed annual export value of GBP1.5bn.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Ford of Britain managing director, Mark Ovenden, said: “The Welsh government has greatly assisted in maximising the full potential of Ford’s own investment in Bridgend and we are pleased to meet today with the Welsh first minister and the minister for economy to recognise this successful partnership.”
Of particular interest is how Ford refers to the production location for build of the new 1.5 EcoBoost. The company says Bridgend will be “long term European production base”, with production due to start in 2014 and then ramp up over the following two years. The 1.5 will be built alongside the 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine, which was introduced in 2011. European build of the new engine will initially be at Craiova in Romania but this will be a temporary measure.
Author: Glenn Brooks
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalData
