A GBP 450 million European Investment Bank (EIB) funding for research and development of a new era of low-carbon engines and commercial vehicle technologies at Ford manufacturing plants across the United Kingdom was signed off, on 12 July. The package, backed by a 80% loan guarantee from the UK government, forms part of Ford’s GBP1.5 billion engine and vehicle development programme to be implemented over the next five years. The EIB’s funding supports research, development and innovation of a new generation of fuel efficient and low-emission diesel and petrol engines under the European Clean Transport Facility. Research and development of petrol engines will include additional investment in Ford’s Bridgend plant, located in a European convergence region.