Ford pickup truck gets EcoBoost

Ford Motor Co. has put a lot of engineering and marketing into its EcoBoost engines, especially when it comes to one created for its F-150 pickup truck. The EcoBoost use turbocharging, lightweight materials and other technology to get better performance out of a smaller engine a 3.5-liter V-6 for the F-150 tempting buyers to opt for the EcoBoost for better fuel economy compared to a V-8. The EcoBoost is also a boon for plastics, with key components like the cam cover, ducts, hoses and engine cover all made from high temperature thermoplastics. Molder Miniature Precision Components Inc. added equipment during the auto industry’s slowdown to launch production on several parts on the engine. EcoBoost has been a success story for Ford. The Dearborn, Mich.-based automaker hoped to convince 25 percent to 30 percent of buyers to opt for it, paying an extra $1,000 for it. Instead, an average of 41 percent of buyers has been adding it since the engine went on sale in March.