Ford Motor Co. is poised to add hundreds of U.S. jobs to increase production of its unexpectedly popular EcoBoost engines.
To do so, Ford is preparing to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in two Ohio plants as part of its 2011 commitment with the United Auto Workers to add 12,000 hourly jobs at U.S. factories.
The Dearborn automaker, which in 2009 introduced the EcoBoost series — a marriage of turbocharging, direct-injection and twin independent variable-camshaft timing — is in need of additional engines for high-volume vehicles like the Fusion midsize sedan and F-150 pickup. Buyers increasingly have opted for the EcoBoost engines which offer boosts in fuel efficiency and performance but command a premium of about $1,000.
"I think the supply is basically against the wall, based on demand," said Jeff Schuster, senior vice president at Troy-based research firm LMC Automotive. "As the EcoBoost technology and brand itself catches on, it is what's driving these types of decisions."
Source
The Detroit News