The Ford Essex engine plant in Windsor is undergoing yet another transformation – one that is intended to introduce 757 new jobs to the area over the next five years.

After being idled in 2007, the plant is preparing to build new engines in Ford's lineup, thanks to a $590 million investment from the Ontario government. A new, flexible manufacturing system will allow the plant to produce the new 5.0-litre V-8 engine for the 2011 Ford Mustang GT as well as six of the nine new engines and transmissions planned for the 2011 model year.

Ontario suppliers are manufacturing a variety of parts for the new V-8 engine – everything from automatic flywheels and oil filter adapters to thermostat housings.

The Essex Engine investment is also supporting the expansion of Ford's North American Centre for Advanced Powertrain Research and Innovation located at the plant. The research centre will become a hub for powertrain research that will also involve Canadian universities and Canadian automotive parts suppliers. 

The Centre will include 16 advanced dynamometer research and test cells capable of evaluating the emissions and performance of alternative fuel powertrains, including those powered by gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, ethanol blends, hybrid powertrains and hydrogen.