Ford to add 450 jobs at US plant

Ford announced plans Thursday to add 450 jobs and invest nearly $200 million at an Ohio engine plant as it expects to more than double the sale of its fuel efficient 'EcoBoost' engines. The 2.0 liter engines had previously been produced at Ford's plant in Valencia, Spain for use in the North American market. "Overall employment at the Valencia plant will not be impacted," Ford said in a statement. "The Valencia Engine Plant will transfer some employees to Valencia Assembly Plant to support increased production for C-MAX, Kuga, Transit Connect and Tourneo Connect." The Valencia plant will also continue to produce parts used for the US-built engine and will remain the only site at which the 2.0 liter engines are built for European vehicles. The second largest US automaker is now more than halfway to its goal of creating 12,000 hourly jobs in the United States by 2015. The expansion is aimed at supporting new products and investments as it recovers from a deep economic downturn and painful restructuring. It has also been expanding its salaried workforce and announced plans last month to hire 2,200 people this year to fill positions in product development, manufacturing and information technology. The Cleveland Engine Plant currently builds the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine and 3.7-liter V6 and will begin production of the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine in late 2014. The engines deliver up to 20 percent better fuel economy by using turbocharging, direct fuel injection and variable valve timing. Ford said it plans to expand global EcoBoost production to 1.6 million engines this year, nearly 100,000 above its previous target.