Three million low-carbon Ford diesel engines produced in Dagenham
Three million small-capacity diesel engines have rolled off the line at Ford's manufacturing centre in Dagenham.
Low-carbon diesel engines have been built for a variety of models across the Ford range since production started in May 2007. On average more than 30,000 engines are produced every month, with total production of the small-capacity diesel engine exceeding 365,000 last year.
The engine was launched with 1.4- and 1.6-litre capacities. In 2013, the 1.4-litre version was upgraded to a more fuel-efficient 1.5-litre that delivers lower emissions.
Ford say that by September 2015 all of their diesel engines will comply with the latest Euro-6 emission regulations, which will reflect an 84 per cent reduction in nitrous oxide emissions from diesel cars since 2000.
Dagenham Engine Plant Manager Martin Everitt said: "This milestone demonstrates the strong demand for clean, powerful, yet economical, small-capacity diesel engines. This is set to grow further when we introduce the new Focus and Mondeo models, both of which will be available with this low-carbon diesel engine."
Every generation of the Ford Fiesta has had a Dagenham-built diesel engine and they celebrated 30 years together in May 2014. Last year, more than 76,000 Ford vehicles sold in the UK were fitted with Ford's small-capacity diesel engine, accounting for around 20 per cent of all Ford cars and commercial vehicles sold through 2013.
In a Fiesta, the 1.5-litre engine emits 98g/km of CO2 and returns a combined 76.4mpg. The 1.6-litre Fiesta ECOnetic model with Auto-Start-Stop emits just 85g/km and can return a combined 85.6mpg.
by: Danielle Bagnall