May 16, 2013

Ford Sollers accelerates growth plan in Russia with new engine plant

Ford Sollers is accelerating its plan to grow in the burgeoning Russian market by announcing that it is building a $274-million (10-billion Russian Rouble) engine plant in Elabuga, Tatarstan, and also will manufacture and sell the new Ford EcoSport small sports
utility vehicle (SUV).

Production of the EcoSport small SUV will commence at a Ford Sollers plant in Tatarstan during the second half of 2014, while the manufacture of three versions of the 1.6-litre Duratec engine will begin at the new engine plant in December 2015.

"This is an important day for Ford Sollers and underscores how serious we are about investing in production in Russia and offering a full range of vehicles for customers in the fast-growing Russian market," said Ted Cannis, CEO and President, Ford Sollers.

"The demand for Ford SUVs is growing in Russia, and we're pleased to announce that next year our already strong lineup of SUVs will be supplemented by the Ford EcoSport," said Adil Shirinov, Executive Director and COO, Ford Sollers. "Local production of the EcoSport by Ford Sollers in Tatarstan will help to strengthen the Ford brand position in Russia's popular SUV segment."

The official ground-breaking for the all-new Ford Sollers Elabuga Engine Plant took place in Tatarstan. The event was attended by Ildar Khalikov, Prime Minister of Tatarstan. At 42,600 sq m, the facility will be approximately the size of six football fields.

The plant will build three versions - 85 ps, 105 ps and 125 ps power levels - of the 1.6-litre, normally-aspirated Duratec gasoline engine. Lightweight, durable, economical and with low noise and emissions, the Duratec was the first Ford engine with block, cylinder head, crankcase and pistons all made of aluminium.

The Ford Sollers Elabuga Engine Plant will have an annual capacity of up to 105,000 units, with the possibility for further expansion of up to 200,000 engines a year. At least 30 per cent of Russian-built Ford vehicles will be equipped with these engines.


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