The plant, which started production in 1980, specialises in engines for Ford's small and medium cars, which are favoured by scrappage schemes and are also enjoying higher sales as drivers switch to smaller, more economical models.

Ford Bridgend's four-cylinder engine family comprises 1.25-, 1.4- and 1.6-litre versions. Bridgend's 15 millionth engine milestone coincided with the five millionth current four-cylinder unit since its production began in 1998.

Ford production accounts for around 80 per cent of Bridgend's output, with the balance comprising six- and eight-cylinder engines for Volvo and Jaguar Land Rover.

Graham Edwards, Bridgend plant manager, said:  "All of our engine families are vital to Ford Bridgend.  In these tough times it's refreshing to report good news, with extra production scheduled last month and again in September to keep up with demand.  The plant's outlook is positive too following this month's announcement that our 1.6-litre EcoBoost debuts in the new Ford C-MAX next year."

At the 2009 Frankfurt motor show Ford unveiled its new generation of EcoBoost high-efficiency low-CO₂ petrol engines. From mid-2010 Bridgend will build the 1.6L version, featuring direct petrol injection, turbocharging and twin variable valve timing technology to reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions by up to 20 per cent compared to today's equivalent engines.

Production volumes were up by 18.3 per cent year-on-year at Bridgend last month.