With a lighter body and more fuel efficient engine, Ford Motor Company says the concept version of its 2015 F-150 is the future vision for pickup trucks.
The Ford Atlas has been fitted with the next generation of Ford's turbo-charged engine, the EcoBoost, cutting the overall weight of the vehicle and taking fuel efficiency to a new level.
Ford officials say they remain committed to setting the agenda in truck market and raising the bar on the capability fuel economy and growth in the full-sized pickup market.
Dianne Craig, president and CEO of Ford Motor Company of Canada, says Canada will play a big role in that growth through 2013.
“We are forecasting a record automobile industry,” says Craig. “One million, 76 units - it has never happened before.”
While there are no new investments planned for Windsor, Craig says Essex Engine continues to be a part of the success story, but she wouldn't say what that means for the long term viability of the plant.
“We don't know what the future brings, but right now I would say the operations are stable,” says Craig.
Auto analyst Dennis DesRosier says the Windsor plant is’ as safe as you are going to get right now’.
He says the Big 3 have closed too many plants, so companies, including Ford are short capacity and this is good news for manufacturing plants.
“No vehicle company will guarantee everything anymore,” says DesRosiers. “But Ford is going to need every engine they can get out of every plant they can.”
He expects to see the company make investments, but he doesn’t know how, where or when. He thinks good things are ahead for Canada and Windsor too.
“I'm fairly confident each of these companies are going to be pulling triggers in terms of investment and in Canada,”says DesRosiers. “I don't see anything under threat.”
Craig says the labour agreement reached in September allows Ford to be competitive in Canada from a manufacturing standpoint.
“It means Canada is here to stay,” she says.
