Ford South Africa just lately celebrated a serious milestone: the manufacturing of the one-millionth Ford Ranger at its Silverton Manufacturing Plant in Pretoria.
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This achievement, 24 years within the making, highlights the enduring legacy and evolution of the Ranger within the South African automotive market. The journey started with the first-generation Ranger, produced from 2000 to 2011. This era marked Ford South Africa’s vital entry into export markets, beginning in 2008, with fashions shipped to varied international locations throughout Africa. By the tip of this era, over 100 000 Rangers had been manufactured, laying a stable basis for future development.
In 2011, Ford launched the second-generation Ranger, a game-changer for each the corporate’s operations and the trade. This mannequin introduced new ranges of efficiency, area, consolation, security, and know-how, making it a trendsetter within the pick-up truck phase. The Silverton plant transitioned to a high-volume, versatile single platform devoted to the Ranger, with an preliminary capability of 110 000 autos per yr. This mannequin additionally led to vital investments within the Struandale Engine Plant in Gqeberha for the manufacturing of the Duratorq TDCi engines.
The second-generation Ranger noticed quite a few developments, together with the introduction of the two.0-litre Single Turbo and Bi-Turbo diesel engines in 2019, and the debut of the Ranger Raptor. These improvements solidified the Ranger’s place as a top-selling car in South Africa. By November 2022, when the second-generation manufacturing ended, 873 751 models had been produced, with about two-thirds exported to international markets.
The third and present era of the bakkie, launched on the finish of 2022, represents a big leap ahead. Ford invested closely in increasing the Silverton plant’s capability to 200 000 autos per yr, or 720 autos per day—the best quantity of any car producer in South Africa. This growth included the development of an on-site Stamping Plant, a Ford-owned Chassis Plant, a brand new Physique Store, and a modernized meeting line, making certain constant high quality and quantity.
The brand new Chassis Plant, situated within the Tshwane Automotive Particular Financial Zone (SEZ) adjoining to the Silverton plant, is a results of a singular public-private partnership between Ford and varied ranges of presidency. This SEZ now homes 11 element suppliers, offering elements on to the Ranger meeting line.
Associated: Did You Know? 10 Interesting Facts About Ford Ranger Production
The corporate employs round 5 200 people and helps roughly 60 000 jobs within the worth chain. Many workers come from the communities surrounding the Silverton plant, contributing considerably to regional financial growth. Ford additionally boasts numerous long-serving workers and multi-generational households who’ve labored on the Silverton and Struandale crops, fostering a powerful tradition of delight and dedication to excellence.
The Ranger has remodeled the pick-up market, providing car-like consolation, reliable functionality, and sturdiness. The second-generation Ranger obtained international acclaim, successful the Worldwide Choose-up Award in 2013 and 2020, and the brand new Ranger claimed the title once more in 2023. In South Africa, the Ranger received the Automotive of the Yr award in 2023 and was named the Greatest 4×4 & Choose-up within the Ladies’s World Automotive of the Yr competitors.
Ford’s Ranger has constantly been acknowledged in South Africa’s automotive awards. It has been our Greatest Double Cab Bakkie within the Prime 12 Greatest Buys awards yearly since 2011 and received the Bakkie Shootout in 2021. This journey of the Ford Ranger from its inception to the newest mannequin underscores Ford’s dedication to innovation and excellence in South Africa. The one-millionth Ranger milestone not solely celebrates a car but additionally the devoted efforts of numerous people who’ve contributed to its success.
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