Ford chose Cleveland as the production site for it's highly touted new ECOBOOST engines; a foundation of what Ford hopes will be a resurgence for the number two car maker.
The plant has been shut down since May 2007 - much longer than Ford promised when it was closed, and hundreds lost jobs.
Amid the humming of robotic machinery under the watchful eyes of high-tech assembly workers, new site manager Charlie Binger called this a long awaited day.
CHARLIE BINGER: "You take a plant that was idled in 2007, give it new life, invest $55 millon into it, and not only invest the money into it, but it's one of the key products for Ford Motor Company... it's just fantastic."
The 90 minute walking tour for car dealers, politicians, parts suppliers, and journalists was designed to show off results of that $55 million investment.
At a dozen different stations - men and women who make the fuel-efficient new V-6 engines relished being asked to explain what they do. Greg Kovach is a process engineer wroking with the new turbocharger.
GREG KOVACH: "...proud members of a team that put this process together. There's some very important things that we do - we're looking at every turbo before we ever build it."
Production of the ecoboost will start with one shift of 250 workers. Ford officials stated no production goals, but said if the engine proves as popular as they believe once it hits the streets; they'll add additional shifts.
Rick Jackson, 90.3.
