JV Sollers-Ford will resume production at its engine plant in Elabuga; the plant was closed in the summer of 2019 after Ford has left the Russian Passenger Car market. The engine plant in Elabuga is again owned by JV. Total investment in new project is expected to exceed US$ 8 million (627 million rubles).
The plant will produce diesel engines for LCV Ford Transit units. Mass production is planned for 2023, and production capacity will be 25,000 engines per year.
PSR Analysis: The plant started making engines in 2015, producing the 1.6 liter Sigma engine; it had an annual production capacity of 200,000 engines. After Ford left the Russian market, the production of Ford Transit LCVs continued, but the van has been equipped with an imported engine. Export potential of new engine is high, and recent changes in currency exchange rates have increased the competitive edge for the local product. PSR
Maxim Sakov is Market Consultant, Russia, for Power Systems Research
