Engine and Tranny From Europe?

[GusinCA]

I was just perusing the local dealer lot, and the V6 Mustangs have their engines built in Germany and the transmissions in France?

I didn't know that.

Why is that?

Does that mean the engine will eventually take over the transmission?

I mean I can understand having the labor done in cheaper places, but having them built in places where the labor is more expensive and the dollar in decline doesn't make much sense. Can someone explain?

 

[The Fang]

Perhaps that explains why the company reports a loss every year.

 

[GusinCA]

From what I hear, they are doing just fine, but took a loss due to a one time tax charge.

Besides, that doesn't answer my question...

 

[walter]

I think the V6 engine is an offshoot of the venerable European Ford Cologne motor. It used to power the old school Ford Capri GT racing cars back in the mid to late 70's.

For those who don't know. Those cars ran at about 440-500 HP naturally aspirated with an 8800 RPM redline in 3.4L format with Cosworth tuning and gave the BMW CSL and Porsche 911s a real run for their money. Also the 2.9L version ran in the Ford Scorpio with Cosworth tuning as well which made it a nice luxury car.

here's the RS Cosworth Capri

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/1964/Ford-Capri-RS-Cosworth.html

 

[GusinCA]

Now THAT is an answer!

It's hard to believe that this motor has such a pedigree.

 

[LV51FER]

Are you talking about the automatics because the manual is a Tremec T5 although of course the Tremec was originally German and a Borg-Warner:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transmisiones_Y_Mecanicos

Most manufacturers have dedicated engine and transmission manufacturing facilities as it's cheaper to make them in bulk.

 

[GusinCA]

Yes, they were all V6 Automatics.

Still, it's surprising to see things built in places other than China or Mexico, I guess.

 

[ranger04]

The 4.0 has allways been german from as far back when they first came on the scene in the early 90's in the ranger and explorer. Ford is world wide and has been in Europe since the 20's or 30's, not sure which, but for a long time. Ford will utillize it's resources as is the most profitable for the company. The ranger uses the mazda M50D manual tranny and I believe our S197 is a shared plateform with volvo if not mistaken. I mean this is nothing new, ford been doing this for 80 years or so as does GM and the rest. The 90's capri was austrailian, the 80's capri was american and the 70's capri was german or english for example and thats a whole car, so you can imagine the parts senereo.

 

[GusinCA]

It's good to know about the history of your car (and it's parts)...

Why is the GT engine/tranny made in Mexico?

 

[LV51FER]

The S197 has it's own platform although it's related to the Jag and Lincoln LS platforms.
Parts are made in Mexico because the Mexican wage is far less than the American one and they have to keep costs down to sell the Mustang at the required price point. It's all pennies saved. You'll just have to pray your next Mustang isn't built in India or China where a living wage wouldn't even pay for a Big Mac.

 

[ranger04]

Yeah, as long as it's made in north america somewhere, it's all good, aisia is another story.

 

[tjredgt2000]

Its not necessarily just cheap labor. Ford is very strong in Europe and even though labor is no bargain in France and the weak dollar makes it worse, it makes sense to maximize production where ever possible. At least with the tranny and engine you know where they are made. With all the other stuff the manufacturer doesn't have to disclose except for the overall percentage made in the US/Canada.