Ford announced today that it will invest $145 million in its Cleveland Engine Plant, for production of its second-generation Ford F-150 EcoBoost engine.
The commitment is meant to retain 8,500 hourly jobs in Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, New York and Ohio over four years.
The Cleveland investment will help retain 1,500 jobs, Ford said in a statement.
The 365-acre Cleveland Engine Plant, opened in 1952, produces the current version of the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, which powers 2016 Ford F-150, Explorer, Expedition, Transit, Flex and Taurus. It also produces the 3.7L Duratech engine.
EcoBoost engines, introduced in 2009, deliver the same capability as larger-displacement engines, with significantly better fuel economy. EcoBoost has a smaller overall engine size combined with turbocharging, gasoline direct injection and variable valve timing/
The Cleveland Engine Plant opened in 1951 and employs more than 1,500 people. It has produced more than 1 million EcoBoost engines since 2009.
Along with the current 3.5-liter EcoBoost for F-150, the plant builds the 2.0-liter EcoBoost for Edge, the 2.3-liter EcoBoost for Explorer, Mustang and Lincoln MKC, as well as the 3.7-liter V6 rear-wheel-drive application for Mustang.
