Apparently, money does really grow on trees these days, but only those exotic ones found exclusively in South America. OK, maybe not, but somehow Ford has come across a significant amount of coin, all of which will be poured into the continent to our south.
The company will increase funding at its Camacari, Brazil engineering center from $2.2 to $2.4 billion by 2015. The spending will be used on the next-generation Ford EcoSport SUV, a vehicle built on the Fiesta B-platform. This platform is quickly becoming one of Ford's most utilized chassis, underpinning 1.6 million vehicles worldwide by 2014 and carrying five distinct models as well as eight different body styles. That's platform sharing at its best. No word yet on a U.S. version of the EcoSport.
According to Ford, the increased spending marks the largest five-year investment the automaker has ever committed to its Brazilian efforts, bringing the total to over $3 billion in the area by 2015. Part of us would rather see that money go to U.S. plants, but that's another story. Dishing out money around the world does fit the company's aim to produce global vehicles. As Ford CEO Alan Mulally said in a statement:
[Source: Ward's Auto]
The company will increase funding at its Camacari, Brazil engineering center from $2.2 to $2.4 billion by 2015. The spending will be used on the next-generation Ford EcoSport SUV, a vehicle built on the Fiesta B-platform. This platform is quickly becoming one of Ford's most utilized chassis, underpinning 1.6 million vehicles worldwide by 2014 and carrying five distinct models as well as eight different body styles. That's platform sharing at its best. No word yet on a U.S. version of the EcoSport.
According to Ford, the increased spending marks the largest five-year investment the automaker has ever committed to its Brazilian efforts, bringing the total to over $3 billion in the area by 2015. Part of us would rather see that money go to U.S. plants, but that's another story. Dishing out money around the world does fit the company's aim to produce global vehicles. As Ford CEO Alan Mulally said in a statement:
In other news, Ford announced it will spend $250 million to improve another South American production facility located in Pacheco, Argentina. Looks like South America has hit the jackpot this time around.Developing truly global vehicles and platforms is a key part of our 'One Ford' plan. Ford Brazil already has demonstrated its skill in creating great vehicles, and with such a strong team in place at our engineering center in Camacari, we're pleased customers from around the world will benefit from that.
[Source: Ward's Auto]
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