Ford to continue investment at Dagenham with new Diesel Powerplants.

Ford is investing an additional £190 million at its Dagenham London site to produce an all-new advanced technology 2.0-litre diesel engine for cars and commercial vehicles. This investment includes £8.9 million from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund. Ford is creating 318 new jobs connected with this investment.

Today’s announcement confirms the second phase of investment in the new engine programme following the original investment of £287 million for phase one with support from the UK Government’s Regional Growth Fund. This brings the total invested in the project to in excess of £475 million, and underlines Ford’s commitment to high-tech engine manufacture at Dagenham.

The first phase of investment relates to the production of state-of-the-art low carbon 2.0 litre diesel engines for Ford commercial vehicles (CVs) globally. The second phase is for low carbon, 2.0 litre diesel engines for passenger cars.

This all-new range of low carbon 2.0-litre diesel engines for cars and CVs has been designed and developed at Ford Dagenham and at the Ford Dunton Technical Centre in Essex.

The first ‘phase one’ engines will come off the line towards the end of next year. Production capacity will be up to 350,000 units per year – one engine produced every 30 seconds – and will be installed in Ford commercial vehicles from 2016.

This new, low carbon, London-built 2.0 litre advanced diesel engine will deliver dramatically lower NOx emissions, satisfying the air quality requirements of the London Mayor’s proposed Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).

The second phase of engine production is scheduled to start in 2017, with the first installation in Ford cars planned for 2018.  The added capacity of up to 150,000 units for this phase brings the total annual capacity for the all-new engine range to up to half a million units.

Prime Minister, David Cameron, said: “I welcome Ford’s commitment to Dagenham and the UK, which is a vote of confidence in our long-term economic plan to back business, create more jobs and secure a brighter future for Britain. We are backing our automotive sector so that it continues to thrive and this investment, supported by £8.9 million from Government’s Regional Growth Fund, will create more jobs that mean financial security and economic piece of mind for more hardworking families.”

Business Secretary, Vince Cable, said: “From pencil line to production line, these engines will be fully designed and built in the UK, securing the future of the plant at Dagenham and creating over 300 new jobs. This latest investment by Ford, supported by £8.9 million from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund, is testament to the strength of our automotive sector and demonstrates Ford’s ongoing commitment to the UK.

“Through the UK government’s industrial strategy we are backing the automotive sector as it goes from strength to strength. We are providing the right environment to give businesses the confidence to invest and create high skilled jobs.” 

Stephen Odell, Ford Executive Vice President, Europe, Middle East & Africa, said: “Ford is delighted to announce this next phase of investment at Dagenham. The overall investment of over £475 million, supported by the UK Government, underlines Ford’s commitment to the UK. This all-new, state-of-the-art, low carbon diesel engine has not only been designed and developed here it will be manufactured by Ford in the UK too. And it will be great for UK plc as these engines will be exported to markets around the world.”

This latest diesel engine programme at Ford Dagenham is part of a £1.5 billion investment by Ford in low-carbon and environmentally friendly engine and vehicle technology over five years. 

Ford produces engines at two locations in the UK, petrol engines from Ford Bridgend in Wales and diesel engines at Ford Dagenham.  Total production from the two plants exceeded 1.5 million engines in 2013.

Frugal Fiesta is reigning marathon champion.

Ford’s own marathon-winning Ford Fiesta drove the London Marathon route this week to highlight its own personal best achievement.

The MPG Marathon victor took gold at the auto industry’s annual fuel-saving endurance race in October, clocking up over 88mpg.

Such smooth driving means only using a third of a gallon of fuel to cover the London Marathon’s 26.2-mile course. 

The Ford Fiesta ECOnetic as confirmed by mandatory EU-prescribed lab tests is capable of delivering up to 85.6mpg* -- or the equivalent of 29 marathons on one tank of fuel. It is powered by the 95PS 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine produced at Ford’s Dagenham plant to the east of London.

Last year’s MPG Marathon drivers exceeded official figures – proving Britain’s best-selling car to be the least thirsty marathon competitor.

Ford Fiesta ECOnetic models boast efficient technology features including Auto-Start-Stop, lowered suspension, aerodynamic rear under-tray and wheel trims, and low rolling resistance tyres. 

* The stated fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions are measured according to the technical requirements and specifications of the European Regulation (EC) 715/2007 as last amended. Results in MPG also correspond to this European drive cycle and are stated in imperial gallons. The results may differ from fuel economy figures in other regions of the world due to the different drive cycles and regulations used in those markets

Ford's Transit and Connect both win in gruelling Arctic testing

• Ford wins Arctic Van Test that puts vehicles through a series of challenges in severe winter driving conditions
• Punishing five-day ordeal in the frozen north of Finland includes slaloming on a frozen airfield, and a 700-kilometre endurance drive, as well as extreme cold starts
• Ford’s all-new Transit and all-new Transit Connect vans deliver the company’s first double victory in the 23-year history of the test

Ford has achieved a landmark double victory in the Arctic Van Test – one of the most gruelling tests of vehicle performance on the planet.

The all-new Ford Transit and the all-new Ford Transit Connect finished first in their respective classes after competing in the punishing five-day ordeal that subjects vehicles and drivers to extreme challenges in ice, cold and snow, in the frozen north of Finland – where temperatures can drop as low as -50 C.

For a video recap of the event, please click here.

From slaloming across a frozen airfield, to tackling a torturous 700 kilometre route of icy, rutted roads, the Ford Transit vans won for their overall performance across categories that included fuel efficiency, load carrying, and handling.

“Every one of our new Ford Transits is tested in the world’s toughest climates and driving conditions long before launch, so they are prepared for just this kind of challenge,” said Paul Randle, vehicle line director, global commercial vehicles, Ford of Europe. “Our customers depend on their Transits to get the job done, and we have made sure they are ready for work, whatever the weather.”

Expert drivers from six European commercial vehicle magazines drove all the vans taking part in the Arctic Van Test and rated the two Transits winners to deliver Ford’s first double victory in the event’s 23-year history. The challenge also tests engine starting, and heating and demister operation, after vehicles have been left outside overnight in sub-freezing conditions.

The all-new Ford Transit was rated top or joint-top in nine out of 13 categories against rival vehicles from Mercedes-Benz, Vauxhall and Volkswagen. The smaller all-new Ford Transit Connect was ranked top or joint-top in seven categories, and particularly impressed for its handling and stability in icy conditions, against rivals from Citroen, Renault and Volkswagen.

“The Ford vans were clear winners in very slippery conditions – a great advantage when frozen roads can be found anywhere, and not just found on the test track,” said Heikki Laurell of Auto Tekniikka ja Kuljetus magazine in Finland, which organises the annual event. “Our tests push vans to the limit, and can be quite a shock if you are not used to a Scandinavian winter.”

The all-new Ford Transit is on sale now with over 7,500 orders already taken in the UK. The all-new Ford Transit Connect – the 2014 International Van of the Year – was launched last year and has amassed over 7,000 orders so far.

The all-new four-vehicle Ford Transit family was designed and engineered at the Ford Dunton Technical Centre, Essex – the global centre of excellence for the company’s commercial vehicles and powertrain development. All diesel engines powering Fords new commercial vehicles for Europe are built at the Ford Dagenham Engine plant, Essex, in the UK.