Ford has asked the Welsh Government for £15M to bring a new engine to its Bridgend plant, according to media reports.
The investment request was first made last year but has been re-submitted as the company has to shortly decide where to install the new engine, but Bridgend is said to be its plant of choice, according to the Sunday Times.
The investment comes as Ford of Europe is expected to announce continuing massive losses in its Middle East, Africa and European region reported at $1.2 Billion.
Sales in the rest of the world have brought in $6 Billion.
Ford Bridgend Engine Plant is an “anchor” company in Wales since it opened in 1980 and is has consistently invested in new lines and production expansion with financial support from the UK and Welsh Governments.
Most recently it secured £12 Million from Welsh Government and £13.1 Million from UK programmes for the new 1.5 EcoBoost line two years ago and which went into production last year.
BEP employs around 2,300 people and in addition to making the Ford petrol engines for global sale it also manufactures large capacity V6 and V8 petrol engines for Jaguar Land Rover cars and 4×4 models.
It has also made a straight six-cylinder engine for Volvo but that contract is coming to an end this spring and JLR has also opened its own plant for small capacity four-cylinder engines in the West Midlands.
