Ford Motor Co. is on the move to add a third shift at its Ohio engine plant to meet the higher demand for light vehicles using its fuel-efficient 3.5-liter EcoBoost and 3.7-liter V-6 engines. The EcoBoost technology was first used in 2009 on Ford’s vehicles such as Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS, and it combines direct injection and turbocharging. Ford already had sold over 39,000 vehicles that offers 3.5 liter EcoBoost engine this fiscal year, which is more than a 285 percent hike compared to previous year.

“Our engine plant in Cleveland is the first and only facility in North America to produce EcoBoost engines, and we are tripling production capacity [from the initial single shift] to meet customers’ growing needs for fuel-efficient engines,” said Mark Fields, president of the Americas, during a function held at the plant. The automaker made clear that around 180,000 Cleveland-made 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engines have been acquired since 2009. Last year, Ford sold around 121,000 vehicles featuring 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engines. That’s when the F-150 pickup started offering an EcoBoost option. The automaker also plans to include one extra shift of F-150 pickup production at its Kansas City assembly plant in Missouri.

By adding third shift, around 250 jobs will be preserved according to the company sources. As the Cleveland Engine Plant No. 2 will end its production this week, the shift at the Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1 will be packed with workers transferring from the Cleveland Engine Plant No. 2.

via Autonews