Ford Motor Co. executives plan to announce the move at a news conference this morning with union representatives and area government leaders present.
“Our truck customers have spoken, and we continue to meet their evolving needs by providing another V6 option in the all-new 2015 F-150,” Joe Hinrichs, Ford president of The Americas, said in a press release this morning. “The hardworking team at Lima Engine is thrilled to begin building one of the most technologically advanced engines ever designed for America’s No. 1 truck.”
Speakers at this morning’s news conference include Hinrichs, Lima Engine Plant Manager Mike Felix, UAW Vice President Jimmy Settles, UAW Region 2B Director Ken Lortz and UAW Local 1219 President Dave Rabe.
The new engine boasts the power of a mid-range V8 engine with greater efficiency.
The engine would be installed in one-fourth of the new and lighter F-150, which is using a high-strength, military-grade aluminum alloy for the body to make the truck lighter, stronger and more resistant to dents. The change will help make the truck nearly 700 pounds lighter.
The 2.7-liter V6 EcoBoost engine utilizes the new “Auto Start-Stop technology” that turns the engine off automatically when the vehicle is at a stop and restarts immediately when the driver releases the brake.
During contract negotiations between Ford and the UAW in 2011, both sides announced Lima was to receive a significant investment with the introduction of a new premium V6 engine.
“After three years, we’re seeing the fruits of our labor,” Felix told The Lima News in January. “Folks here are very excited. We’re proud to be on the cutting edge of engine technology. It’s been many firsts for us and folks here are quite proud to be a part of that. We were eager to hear the truck get announced.”
The Lima Engine Plant, built in 1957, already produces the 3.5-liter and 3.7-liter Duratec V6 engines for Ford vehicels, include the Edge and Explorer utility vehicles, Lincoln MKX crossover, MKT utility and MKZ sedan. The 2.4 million square-foot facility employed 825 hourly and 123 salaried workers before the announcement, which could bring total employment near 1,250.
The $500 million investment brings a new flexible engine assembly system and renovation of 700,000 square feet of the facility for machining and assembly work. The new engine line has been under construction at the Lima Engine Plant since 2012.
“The new jobs at Lima Engine Plant will be a major boost to the community, and continue F-150’s reputation as one of the most American-made vehicles,” said Jimmy Settles, UAW vice president, National Ford Department, in the press release. “It’s especially exciting that these jobs will go to support a new technology like the 2.7-liter EcoBoost for the all-new F-150.”