In May, Ford began building the EcoBoost 1-liter engine, called 2012 International Engine of the Year by Engine Technology International magazine.
The engine, available in 100 hp and 120 hp versions, will be installed in Ford’s new B-Max model, built exclusively in Romania. The first B-Max rolled out of the factory Monday and was bought by Romanian President Traian Basescu.
Ford has been taking Romanian orders for the new model since March, for as low as EUR13,400. The vehicles will be delivered starting on September 15.
The company has invested over EUR500 million into the Craiova factory, part of a EUR675 million target stipulated in the privatization contract. Ford expects to build 60,000 B-Max units this year and 105,000 next year, most of which will be exported.