Ford Dagenham recently celebrated its 90th anniversary, with the first cars having rolled off the production line in October 1931. Since then, Dagenham has helped keep Britain on the move, producing iconic models from the Model Y to the Anglia and the Zephyr to the Fiesta.

Now a centre of engine production, Ford is still an integral part of the borough’s identity and the nearly 11 million cars, trucks and tractors built over the years of vehicle production would stretch more than 400,000km or 10 times around the world – not forgetting the 50 million engines built.

And as the plant enters its tenth decade, the future looks bright too. In his recent Budget, the Chancellor announced that the Thames Freeport will begin operations from this month. In all, this exciting development will include over 21,000 new jobs with many more across supply chains alongside significant investment in training and skills, £4.5 billion in new public and private investment, and 1,700 acres of development land at the heart of Europe’s largest consumer market. Ford Dagenham is an important component of the Freeport area, which connects the facility to the ports at London Gateway and Tilbury.

Diesel engine production will remain integral to Ford operations at Dagenham in the years ahead, but Ford also is looking at other opportunities across the site. For example, the Ford Venari Ambulance is intended to be produced at a new facility in Ford Dagenham from 2022, making use of an existing non-production location that will be refreshed to accommodate the manufacturing requirements. It is anticipated that the new business will create around 100 new jobs once production begins in 2022.

Councillor Darren Rodwell, Leader, London Borough of Barking and Dagenham commented: “Ford is synonymous with Dagenham, and generations of local families have worked in the plant over its 90 years, many from the Becontree estate, which is celebrating its centenary this year. You could almost say the two have grown up together.

“Ford will also always be remembered for its role in the war effort, and for the women who led the Machinist’s Strike, which led to the historic Equal Pay Act.

“There’s also an exciting future ahead with the production of the Ford Venari Ambulance, as well as the Thames Freeport further anchoring Ford Dagenham as a vital part of the local economy.

“As we mark 90 years of Ford in Dagenham, I look forward to a successful ongoing relationship which best serves Barking and Dagenham and Ford’s place within it.”