Workers at the Windsor Engine Plant can thank retiring baby boomers and the strengthening U.S. economy for Ford Motor Company’s
decision to keep production running longer at the facility.
Ford has decided to continue assembly of its 5.4-litre V-8 engine at a reduced volume at the Windsor Engine Plant and Annex
— a move that has saved 118 jobs.
Last year, the Windsor engine plant produced about 300,000 5.4-litre engines.
The plant also produces a 6.8-litre V-10 for Econoline cargo van fleet sales and recreation vehicles, which are posting rising sales.
“They’re going to increase production of the V-10 which is awesome,” Gaudette said. “They’re going to go from 80,000 to 100,000.
A big reason is the resurgence in the RV sales. RV shipments will total about 335,000 units this year — a 6.1 per cent increase from 2013,
according to the U.S. Recreational Vehicle Industry Association. That would mark five consecutive years of RV market growth
“The RV industry is alive again,” said John Chisholm, dealer principal at Rose City Ford in Windsor.
And, U.S. sales for the Ford E Series van have steadily risen, thanks to the recovering housing sector.
Sales grew from 85,735 in 2009 to 125,356 in 2013.
