Ford Bridgend welcomes Prince Charles as the hi-tech plant celebrates its 30th Birthday
The Prince of Wales helped build one of the first new generation Ford EcoBoost 1.6 petrol engines when he visited the Ford Bridgend plant to mark its 30th Birthday at the end of June 2010.
His Royal Highness used an air wrench to tighten a component on one of the new engines as he toured the production lines within the 60 acres plant.
He met plant manager Kieran Cahill and his senior management team before visiting the Prototype Room where the new engine was developed and met the team responsible for its successful integration into the Bridgend assembly operation. The Prince then toured the plant and the EcoBoost lines where he tried his hand at assembly of the turbo charger.
Mr Cahill welcomed the visit, saying “I think it is tremendous for the plant. It is recognition of what we offer to Wales in terms of industry, which is particularly important, given the growth of our plant”.
Back in 2008, Ford announced the investment programme at the Bridgend plant to produce the next generation of low-CO2 1.6 litre, four-cylinder EcoBoost petrol engines. The engine features lightweight all-aluminium construction, the latest generation high-pressure direct-injection system, low-inertia turbocharging and twin-independent variable cam timing.
EcoBoost engines combine the latest powertrain technologies to deliver fuel consumption and CO 2 emissions reduced by up to 20 per cent when compared with conventional petrol engines with a similar power output. The new Ford C-MAX, on sale later this year, will be the first Ford model to be fitted with the 1.6-litre Ford EcoBoost petrol engine.
Before leaving Bridgend the Prince also drove a Ford S-MAX equipped with a 2.0 litre version of the EcoBoost engine and unveiled a commemorative plaque in the foyer. He also spent some time with representatives of the Welsh Automotive Forum and took a great interest in the Wales Green Automotive Agenda and the work of the Low Carbon Vehicle Cluster.
In the last 30 years, Ford has invested $2.7 billion in Bridgend, has made 15.5 million engines and currently employs 2,000 people, with a further recruitment drive planned for the new EcoBoost line. In addition, Ford has just been granted a £450 million commercial loan which has been signed off by the European Investment Bank (£360 million of which is being underwritten by the UK Government). This will help to secure the car giant’s £1.5 billion investment into the advanced manufacturing and low-carbon technologies.
After the visit, Ford of Britain Chairman Joe Greenwell said, “We are delighted to welcome His Royal Highness back to Ford Bridgend on the plant’s 30th Birthday. The new Ford EcoBoost petrol engines from Bridgend are providing Ford vehicles with a combination of lower emissions and improved fuel economy and performance. The investment in these high-efficiency powerplants is vital to meet the current and future needs of our customers and the environment.”
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14 July 2010
