Ford Essex Engine Plant (Windsor, Ontario)

 engine manufacturer, production, car assembly factory

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Opened in 1981 in order to build a new 3.8 L V6 engine for a new generation of midsize vehicles, the $533 million plant first produced engines for the 1982 model Windstar and Mustang and later expanded to include F 150 and Econoline trucks. In 1997 a 4.2 L engine was introduced and a 3.9 L engine in 2004.

Situate on 260 acs. the plant was enlarged, following a 250,000 sq. ft. expansion in 2002, to a total area of 1.9 million sq. ft. In 2002 the plant employed 1,800 and produced 545,000 engines. By 2007 production was reduced and Ford closed the plant putting 500 employees out of work.

In 2008 plans were announced to re-open the plant with the assistance of the Federal Government. The plan proposes an initial investment of $477 million to establish a new flexible engine assembly plant producing 215,000 engines per year and employ 542 workers. A total investment of $730 million with a contribution of $80 million from the Federal Government is contemplated.

Plans also call for the creation of a new North American Centre for Diesel and Advanced Powertrain Research and Innovation which will perform research into engine efficiency and fuel technologies.