Ford builds two millionth EcoBoost engine as demand grows

(September 17, 2013) Ford today celebrates a manufacturing milestone for its fuel-saving EcoBoost engines: Two million have been produced globally since the 2009 launch of the engine line. Growing customer demand for EcoBoost-powered vehicles in major markets worldwide is driving engine production higher. Factory output now averages more than 100,000 engines per month, up from 65,000 in 2012.

“Ford EcoBoost delivers great performance with lower fuel bills, a recipe that is proving incredibly popular with consumers around the world,” said Joe Bakaj, vice president, powertrain engineering for Ford. “EcoBoost engines are attracting new customers to the Ford brand every day, and our plants are working hard to keep up with demand.”

A Ford Escape powered by the two millionth production EcoBoost — a 2.0-liter unit — rolled off the line at Ford’s Louisville, Ky., last week.




EcoBoost technology combines smaller overall size with turbocharging, direct injection and variable valve timing to bring customers outstanding performance and fuel economy. Ford EcoBoost engines deliver up to 20 percent better fuel economy than larger-displacement gasoline engines.

Ford’s global EcoBoost engine family now includes the 1.0-liter three-cylinder; 1.5-liter, 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines; and the powerful 3.5-liter V6. EcoBoost technology is available in every region Ford serves worldwide, and will be offered on approximately 80 percent of the company’s global nameplates by the end of this year.

Better fuel efficiency — and lower fuel bills — are the top reasons for surging sales of optional EcoBoost engines. At today’s gas prices, the EPA’s fuel-economy website estimates an average annual fuel bill of $3,400 for a 2009 Ford F-150 2WD with a 5.4-liter V8 engine, but only $3,000 for a 2013 F-150 2WD with a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6. At this rate, a consumer would save an estimated $4,000 over a vehicle life of 10 years and 150,000 miles.

Businesses, too, are using EcoBoost-powered vehicles to cut fuel costs, while also tackling tough jobs. “The Ford EcoBoost engines provide an average mile and a half improvement over our V8-powered trucks at work,” said Lyle Azevedo, fleet manager for Grimmway Farms in Bakersfield, Calif., which is a major grower of carrots and other crops. “With a 150,000-mile life cycle and with $3.50 a gallon gas, we’re going to save over $300,000 on our fleet of 80 trucks over their lifetimes.”

The New Mexico State Police was at first hesitant to shift from V8 engines to V6s with EcoBoost technology, said Lt. Tony Gonzalez, who manages the department’s fleet of 60 Ford Police Interceptor sedans, 15 F-150 EcoBoost pickups and six Ford Fusion sedans equipped with EcoBoost engines.

“But we talked about the fuel economy and today we’re looking at a 10 to 15 percent fuel economy improvement and would be getting even more fuel economy improvement if we could keep our foot out of them, but they’re so fun to drive,” said Gonzalez. “We spend $250,000 to $300,000 a month on fuel, so the savings to taxpayers really adds up.”

In North America, internal Ford data shows that the EcoBoost engine is now the most recognized fuel-efficient engine among consumers.

The popularity of EcoBoost in North America is reflected in high take rates on key models:

    • 90 percent of Ford Escape models are equipped with 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter EcoBoost engines
    • 50 percent of Fusion customers select one of three available EcoBoost models – the sedan is available with the 1.5-liter, 1.6-liter or 2.0-liter variants
    • 42 percent of F-150 trucks are purchased with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost

This year, EcoBoost will be available on more than 90 percent of North American nameplates, rising to 95 percent by 2015.

To meet demand for the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine, Ford is investing nearly $200 million to build the engine at its Cleveland, Ohio, engine plant, with production starting in 2014.