Ford will invest $500 million (€363 million) to upgrade its Lima Engine Plant in Ohio to build the all-new 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine for the 2015 F-150 pickup truck. As a result, 300 new jobs will be created at the factory. Fitted with standard Auto Start-Stop, the new twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 engine promises to blend the performance of a mid-range V8 unit with the efficiency of a V6 powerplant.
The $500 million investment will go to a new flexible engine assembly system and renovation of 700,000 square feet (65,032 square meters) of the facility for machining and assembly functions. Lima Engine Plant currently produces the 3.5-liter and 3.7-liter Duratec V6 engines for multiple Ford vehicles including Edge and Explorer SUVs, as well as the Lincoln MKX crossover, MKT utility and MKZ sedan.
The plant opened in 1957 and employs more than 900 people. Later this year, the 40-millionth engine produced at the plant will roll off the assembly line.
“Lima Engine has kept Ford and Lincoln vehicles running for nearly 60 years. Bringing production of the new 2.7-liter EcoBoost to Lima Engine Plant helps build a solid future both for Ford and the dedicated workers in Ohio,” said Bruce Hettle, Ford vice president, North America manufacturing.
Besides the new 2.7-liter EcoBoost, the new Ford F-150 will be available with a 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6, an all-new naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 and an improved 5.0-liter V8.
By Dan Mihalascu
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