Ford invests £24m in low carbon production in Wales; Wrightbus ploughs £15m into low carbon R&D
Wed 17 April 2013
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Ford has announced a £24m investment programme at its Bridgend engine plant in Wales to produce a new, fuel-efficient 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine. The Welsh Government is also providing backing of £12m to the plant, which employs nearly 2,300 with production to start in 2014. In related news, Northern Ireland-based bus manufacturer Wrightbus is to invest almost £15m in research and development into low-carbon vehicles.
The new Ford engine will be built at the factory alongside the larger 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine which was introduced in 2011. It is understood the investment will secure 500 jobs directly.
The workforce is expected to grow by December to 2,300; the largest workforce ever employed by Ford in Bridgend. The plant produces 2,668 four-cylinder engines every day, with exports to Spain, Sweden, Germany, Russia, Belgium and the USA.
Welsh Government Minister for Economy, Edwina Hart, said: "The Welsh Government has worked closely with Ford to secure this investment and is delighted to confirm a support package of £12 million towards this exciting programme. This will help safeguard and create high quality production and engineering jobs in Wales."
Meanwhile, Wrightbus is also investing £15m in low carbon R&D with £3.9m of support from Invest N.I. The company will undertake two research and development and one training project: The first involves the development of a range of low carbon and lightweight vehicles, while the second aims to develop an electric zero emissions vehicle. The manufacturer will also invest in a staff training project, focusing on management and leadership development as well as the implementation of a new operator training programme and lean manufacturing programme.
Wright Group managing director Mark Nodder said the company aimed through the investment to establish Wrightbus as a leading global provider of mass passenger transport with green credentials.
Meanwhile, production of Nissan's all-electric Leaf model has begun in Sunderland. The Leaf is billed as the first mass-market electric car, running 100% on advanced lithium-ion batteries. Its production in Sunderland will mean 500 new jobs for the region.
The batteries are also produced in Sunderland and the Battery Plant, together with Nissan Leaf production will also create over 1500 jobs across the UK. The innovation comes at the end of four years of preparation and a £420m investment by Nissan.
The Prime Minister, David Cameron, visited the Sunderland plant to celebrate the beginning of production of the Leaf there.
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