More than 1000 workers now build Ford’s 6-cylinder EcoBoost engine at the Brook Park facility. The national UAW and Ford have agreed to build 4-cylinder engines there if the local rank and file accepts the new contract.  Union officials say the contract contains no concessions and will be good for members, and passage is expected. Michelle Krebs is an auto industry analyst with Edmunds.com. She says, after years of decline, the U.S. auto industry has rebounded, and all the companies are adding production of more fuel efficient cars. Krebs says fuel efficiency is driving Ford’s need for smaller engines, engines the company designs particularly well.

“Actually, Ford has been ahead of the curve. It came out with its EcoBoost engine in its trucks which has been very popular.  And they came out with very small cars like the Fiesta and the very competitive Focus early in the game. So, Ford has really been able to take on the Korean and Japanese automakers very well.”