UK innovation - Ford Britain - developing low-carbon engines
Ford has established world-leading expertise in the development and manufacture of fuel efficient petrol and diesel engines through the Dunton Technical Centre and plants in Bridgend and Dagenham.
Across the sector, by combining these solid research strengths with high-level manufacturing processes, the UK is now in a position to take advantage of the expected move towards lower emitting engines.
The Dunton Technical Centre in Essex is one of the biggest R&D centres of its kind in the UK, employing 3,000 engineers with a specific focus on engine and transmission as well as commercial vehicle development. The work at Dunton has contributed directly to the pioneering engines being produced in Bridgend and Dagenham.
Over the last five years Ford has invested £315m in the Bridgend plant, including £70m announced in October 2008 to bring to production the next generation of low CO2 1.6 litre, four-cylinder petrol engines. The new engines are expected to go into production in 2010 and will be among the first in a new generation of 'EcoBoost' engines. Compared with current larger petrol engines of similar power, these engines will provide 15% lower CO2 emissions, and will play a key role in delivering on EU vehicle emissions targets over the next decade.
Ford has operated at the Dagenham site since 1931, but the 2003 opening of the Dagenham Diesel Centre helped the site's position as a leading engine producer. Last year it produced over one million engines for Ford and other manufacturers including Jaguar and Volvo.
The latest Econetic range of vehicles, including the
Econetic Fiesta with emissions of only 98g/km, will use the Tiger
range of engines manufactured at the plant. Ford's experience
demonstrates the results of combining industrial and research
strengths to develop high-value expertise capable of
competing
in a global market. By developing a portfolio of affordable diesel
and petrol engine technologies Ford has been able to take advantage
of the changes in demand, delivering significant carbon emissions
reductions through mass market application.
