After nodding to Brazil, China, India and Thailand, Ford has confirmed today that it will build the EcoSport in Russia. The Ford Sollers joint venture made the announcement as top officials broke ground for a new engine plant in the existing factory complex that will support locally made products.
Start of EcoSport production at the Tatarstan plant is announced as the second half of 2014. Ford is investing $274 million (10 billion Russian Rouble) on the all-new engine facility which will churn out 105,000 engines a year from December 2015.
The plant, which can be expanded to produce 200,000 engines, will make the 1.6-liter Duratec (petrol) engines in three specifications putting out 85 PS, 105 PS or 125 PS. Ford says at least 30% of the Russia-built Ford cars will run on the locally made Duratec.
Like here in India, the Tatarstan-built EcoSport will offer a full range of features like Electronic Stability Program, Hill Launch Assist, SYNC as well as Keyless Entry & Start system.
Ford operates two plants in Russia. The Tatarstan plant produces the Transit, Kuga, S-MAX, Galaxy and Explorer. The sixth model to launch from its lines would be the EcoSport in 2014. The second plant located in St. Petersburg manufactures the Focus and Mondeo. Ford Sollers also sells commercial vehicles such as the Ranger, Transit and the Torneo which are imported from global Ford facilities.
Press Release
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