September 17, 2013: Ford Motor Company is celebrating 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, VP, powertrain engineering for Ford. “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 plant 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 says its EcoBoost engines deliver up to 20 percent better fuel economy than larger-displacement petrol 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. The carmaker says EcoBoost technology is available in every region Ford serves worldwide, and will be offered on approximately 80 percent 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.
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 percent of Ford Escape models are equipped with 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre EcoBoost engines.
• 50 percent of Fusion customers select one of three available EcoBoost models – the saloon is available with the 1.5-litre, 1.6-litre or 2.0-litre variants.
• 42 percent of F-150 trucks are purchased with the 3.5-litre EcoBoost.
This year, EcoBoost will be available on more than 90 percent of North American nameplates, rising to 95 percent 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 three-cylinder 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 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 US with the 1.0-litre engine, and is expected to be certified as the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid car available in the US.
Growth in Asia Pacific
In Asia Pacific, sales of EcoBoost vehicles through August are up 202 percent year-over-year in 2013, including a 189-percent 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.
The Cologne engine plant also supplies Ford India’s Chennai plant with the 1.0-litre EcoBoost for fitment in the EcoSport SUV which is recording handsome sales and has over 30,000 bookings at present.
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.