After being idled in 2007, the Ford Essex Engine Plant in Windsor, Ontario, is ramping up again to build one of the most exciting engines in Ford's lineup, thanks to a $590 million investment.
With its new flexible manufacturing system, Essex Engine will soon be at full production of the all-new 5.0-litre V-8 engine for the 2011 Ford Mustang GT which is expected to deliver segment-leading fuel economy and 412 horsepower.
"That's what today's customers demand – top performance, a fun-to-drive experience and great fuel economy, and this new V-8 for the 2011 Mustang delivers," said Jim Tetreault, vice president, North American Manufacturing, Ford Motor Company. "Ford is introducing an unprecedented number of new or upgraded powertrains this year as part of our 2011 vehicle launches."
Including the new V-8 engine built at Essex Engine, Ford has already started producing six of the nine new engines and transmissions planned for the 2011 model year. These powertrains are being supported by a significant investment in powertrain engineering and facility upgrades across North America.
The investment in Essex Engine will pay off for years to come considering that each auto manufacturing job creates seven additional jobs in the broader Canadian economy. For example, Ontario suppliers are manufacturing a variety of parts for the new V-8 engine – everything from automatic flywheels and oil filter adapters to thermostat housings.
The Essex Engine investment is also supporting the expansion of Ford's North American Centre for Advanced Powertrain Research and Innovation located at the plant. The research centre will become a hub for powertrain research that will also involve Canadian universities and Canadian automotive parts suppliers. The center will include 16 advanced dynamometer research and test cells capable of evaluating the emissions and performance of alternative fuel powertrains, including those powered by gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, ethanol blends, hybrid powertrains and hydrogen.
