"As part of our strategic planning to accommodate the growing market volumes for the Ranger in South Africa and our export markets, the R3bn investment will encompass both product and capacity related actions," said Ockert Berry, vice president Operations, Ford Middle East and Africa.
"Looking further ahead, the expanded production capacity will ensure that we are geared up and fully prepared to respond to additional future market demands for the Ranger by ramping up our production even further," Berry added. "This significant investment reaffirms Ford's ongoing commitment to South Africa as a local manufacturer, exporter and key employer in the automotive sector, supporting a large number of direct jobs as well as indirect employment through our extensive supplier base."
With the extensive Ranger model lineup and its segment-defining levels of technology, safety and comfort features already making it one of South Africa's best-selling vehicles, the range will be bolstered further in 2019 when local production of the exciting Ranger Raptor commences on the Silverton assembly line.
The current Ranger programme has been an unprecedented success for Ford since it was launched in 2011, and the company has experienced remarkable growth in Ranger sales and market share, both locally and internationally with its export programme to over 148 markets in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
The Ford Ranger Raptor is described as a purpose-built, desert-racing inspired model that builds on the unrivalled heritage of Ford Performance's legendary F-150 Raptor.
More information on the Ranger Raptor will be revealed in due course.
