Pretoria - Ford South Africa yesterday unveiled its Next-Generation Ford Ranger and Everest models – and showcased the massive R15.8 billion expansion of the Silverton Assembly Plant.
The development is at the heart of the Tshwane Special Economic Zone.
The managing director of Ford Motor Company in Africa, Neale Hill, said this was a massive stride made in enhancing customer experience and developing a lifelong relationship with their customers and dealers.
Hill and his team took the media on a tour of the transformed plant, where a new vehicle emerged every two minutes. This was followed by a showcase of the new models.
“Investing nearly R16bn in our facility and suppliers will not only set new standards at every level. The investment increases the annual installed capacity of the Silverton Assembly Plant to 200 000 vehicles from 168 000 units previously.
“The investment is in technology, facility upgrades and all-new facilities to ensure high-quality, efficient production of the next-generation Ranger.
“This includes the construction of a new body shop with the latest robotic technology, and a new hi-tech stamping plant. Both facilities have been modernised and they streamline the integrated manufacturing process here, while contributing to higher quality and reducing overall cost and waste,“ said Hill.
The expanded production will help create 1 200 incremental Ford jobs in South Africa, increasing the local workforce to 5 500, and adding an estimated 10 000 new jobs across Ford’s local supplier network. This will bring the total employee base to 60 000.
Ford will also build new vehicle modification and training centres, to ensure all Ford employees are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to maximise the efficiencies of the enhanced Silverton facilities.
Hill said he was proud to announce that Ford in South Africa would generate almost 2% of national GDP.
Next year also marks a century of operation in South Africa, he said, adding that in 2021 the company exported its 500 000th Ranger.
He said the Next-Generation Ranger, assembled in South Africa for export to more than 100 markets globally, including markets across Africa, was in line with the company’s efforts to deliver competitive products, services and experiences for its customers.
“And additionally, the R15.8bn expansion of the Silverton operation and supplier facilities will ensure that we continue to meet the demand for this iconic pickup.”
About the cars that attracted guests from across the country to Silverton, Hill said the Ranger and Everest would feature a choice of premium power trains mated to Ford’s efficient 10-speed SelectShift automatic.
“It was announced just yesterday that the most exciting of the new engines – the 3.0-litre turbodiesel
V6, on offer in both the Next-gen Ranger and Everest, will produce an impressive 184kW and 600Nm – ideal for customers who tow heavy loads, drive off-road, or prefer the benefits of a large displacement engine,” he said.
Pretoria News