Ontario, 26 February 2015: Ford Motor Company announced today at its Oakville Assembly plant outside of Toronto, Canada, the official start of production of the all-new 2015 Ford Edge for global export to more than 100 countries.
To support the global launch of the Ford Edge, Oakville Assembly also announced today the addition of 400 new employees to supplement the 1,000 new employees that were announced last year. With an investment of C$700 million, the Oakville Assembly plant has undergone a retooling and expansion, transforming it into one of the most competitive and advanced global manufacturing plants in Canada.
“The all-new Ford Edge is a true global vehicle and a showcase of Ford’s product excellence,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford’s president of the Americas. “Thanks to the new capabilities at Oakville Assembly, the 2015 Edge delivers improved driving dynamics, quality, quietness, interior space and even more technology, and we are proud for our Canadian team to start bringing Edge to customers in even more markets around the world.”
The Ford Edge will eventually be shipped around the world, from North America and South America, to Asia, Africa and the Middle East. With the addition of right-hand-drive and a diesel engine, the Edge will also be exported for the first time to Western Europe.
The ehancements at Oakville Assembly will enable Ford to shift production more quickly and efficiently to meet increasing consumer demand. Worldwide demand for utility vehicles is up 88 per cent since 2008 and utilities now account for 19 per cent of the global automotive market, with the segment expanding more than three times the rate of the vehicle industry overall.
In Europe, the utility vehicle segment grew from nine per cent market share in 2008 to 21 per cent in 2014. In the United States – Ford Edge’s biggest market – the vehicle has been the best-selling five passenger crossover utility for seven out of the eight years since its launch.
“We’re proud to show the world advanced manufacturing right here in Canada and look forward to serving new global customers,” said Dianne Craig, president and CEO, Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd. “The Oakville Assembly team has worked relentlessly to deliver a quality product to the highest standard – from bringing in the best of Ford’s manufacturing technologies to training new employees across the facility.”
The 2015 Ford Edge is a showcase of Ford technology and craftsmanship, with a suite of standard and available technologies designed to improve the driving experience and the level of occupant comfort. Technologies being offered for the first time include enhanced active park assist for parallel and side parking, side parking sensors and a front camera with washer.
Central to the improved driving dynamics is an entirely new body structure and redesigned suspension – front and rear – developed specifically to better isolate road imperfection and absorb noise without compromising handling, giving Edge customers a quieter and more substantial ride.
The all-new 2015 Ford Edge will be the first Ford vehicle in North America powered by the company’s new twin-scroll 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine. The 2015 model is the first Edge to come standard with EcoBoost power. This new twin-scroll 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine is expected to be more responsive and fun to drive, with better performance feel, compared to the current 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine.
When it goes on sale this spring, the all-new Ford Edge will be available in a new range-topping Titanium series, as well as the base SE model and SEL series.
Also available this year, is the 2015 Ford Edge Sport which has been officially SAE-certified as the most powerful Edge ever, with the highest horsepower and torque ratings yet. Powered by Ford’s newest EcoBoost engine – a 2.7-litre V6 – the 2015 Ford Edge Sport builds on its reputation as the modern utility vehicle for people who want to have fun behind the wheel and look good doing it.
