Ford to offer EcoBoost V-6 in Transit van
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DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. announced plans to offer a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine for the upcoming Ford Transit van, set to replace the Ford E-series van.
The Transit, at least 300 pounds lighter than the E series, goes into production in the United States in 2013. It will get at least 25 percent better fuel economy, thanks to the weight reduction and EcoBoost engine, Ford said on Monday.
Tim Stoehr, Ford commercial truck marketing manager, said in a statement that the Transit "will deliver all the capability and capacity that customers get with today's E series," with improved fuel economy and potentially lower operating costs.
He added that the EcoBoost "engine has revolutionized the half-ton pickup segment for F-150 and we're expecting it will have the same effect on commercial vans."
To prepare for U.S. production by 2013, Ford is investing $1.1 billion in its Kansas City assembly plant in Claycomo, Mo., where the Transit will be built alongside the F-150. The Transit is now assembled and sold outside North America.
Some E-series body styles will continue to be available after U.S. Transit production begins, Ford said.
Ford plans to produce as many as 1.5 million EcoBoost engines globally by 2013 for use in a variety of vehicles, the company said.
Ford said in January that it plans to offer EcoBoost engines in 11 vehicles in 2012, up from seven in 2011. The company built 127,883 vehicles with EcoBoost engines in North America last year.
The EcoBoost engine option has become popular on some Ford models.
On the F-150 pickup, the 3.5-liter V-6 EcoBoost direct injection engine accounts for 42 percent of the engine mix.
Ford has not said how much the EcoBoost engine option will be for the Transit, but the engine is a $995 option on the Edge and Explorer and as much as $1,000 extra for the F-150.
You can reach Ellen Mitchell at emitchell@crain.com.
