Ford opens flex-fuel engine plant

Ford Philippines inaugurated on June 14 a Php1.1- billion (US$23 million) plant that will manufacture flex-fuel engines, making good on an investment it announced two years ago. During the plant’s inauguration, which was held in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Ford Group Philippines President Richard Carl Baker said the Flex Fuel Vehicle (FFV) engines, powerplants that can run on a mix of up to 20% bioethanol and 80% gasoline (E20), would be used in the Focus 1.8L and 2.0L vehicles. The locally made Focuses are also being shipped to Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand. Ford Asia Pacific and Africa Vice-President for Marketing, Sales and Service Operations David N. Alden said the facility would make the Philippines a key player in the company’s FFV strategy. The facility is the automobile firm’s first bid to produce FFV engines in Southeast Asia. The plant has a maximum annual capacity of 50,000 engines. (June 15, 2007)