Ford’s Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria, South Africa, becomes the third global production hub to start production of the Next-Gen Ranger; Commencement follows a US$1.05 billion (R15.8 billion) investment in local operations and supplier tooling

The modernized and expanded facility includes an on-site Stamping Plant, a highly automated Body Shop, and the only Ford-owned and operated Frame Line in the world, ensures every Next-Gen Ranger produced is of the highest quality

Extensive upgrades and the latest in production technologies enable the highest-ever installed capacity of 200,000 vehicles per year at the Silverton plant; Additional 1,200 jobs with the introduction of the third shift, bringing the Ford workforce in South Africa to 5,500 employees; Additional 10,000 jobs added to the supplier value chain

Production of Next-Gen Ranger to serve customers in South Africa as well as more than 100 markets around the world, including Europe

Ford Motor Company’s Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria, today became the third plant to commence production of the Next-Generation Ranger for customers around the world.

The start of the Next-Gen Ranger production follows a major investment of US$1.05 billion (R15.8 billion) in Ford’s South African operations and supplier tooling. South African-built Rangers are exported to more than 100 markets, including Europe.

Ford Motor Company now has three production hubs in the International Markets Group (IMG) region producing Next-Gen Ranger for global markets, including the Silverton plant in South Africa, and two plants in Thailand. The company also has CKD operations in Vietnam and Cambodia to assemble the Next-Gen Ranger, with plants in the US and Argentina to begin production in 2023.

“The start of Next-Gen Ranger production in South Africa highlights our commitment to delivering must-have products for our customers, not just in South Africa but around the world,” says Dianne Craig, president of Ford International Markets Group (IMG). “South Africa is an important part of our global Ranger manufacturing network, and it is fantastic to witness the US$1.05 billion investment being utilized to modernize and transform the Silverton Assembly Plant to produce vehicles of the absolute best quality for customers around the world.”

The expanded operations in South Africa contribute to job creation and economic development, with 1,200 new jobs added for a third shift to support the increased production volumes. This takes the workforce at Ford South Africa to 5,500 employees. Ford’s supplier network benefits too, with approximately 10,000 jobs added across the value chain.

Of the total investment of US$1.05 billion, approximately US$686 million (R10.3 billion) has gone into the transformation and modernization of the Silverton plant with the construction of its first on-site Stamping Plant, a new highly automated Body Shop, and the introduction of the latest vehicle assembly operations on the Trim, Chassis and Final line.

Furthermore, the only Ford-owned and operated Frame Line in the world was built in the new Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) supplier park adjacent to the Silverton Assembly Plant. Ford’s investment in tooling at its major supplier companies totalled US$365 million (R5.5 billion).

In addition to the Silverton investment, Ford injected US$34 million (R600 million) into its Struandale Engine Plant in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), which produces all the engines used in the Next-Gen Ranger for South Africa, and more than 100 export markets.

The investment in Struandale Engine Plant has helped Ford introduce the new 3.0L V6 Diesel engine program, comprising cylinder head machining and engine assembly. Upgrades for the Next-Gen Ranger were also implemented on the existing assembly line for the 2.0L Single Turbo and 2.0L B-Turbo diesel engines.

 “The success of the Ranger globally establishes it as one of Ford’s most important nameplates sold in every continent,” said Neale Hill, President, Ford Motor Company Africa. “The Next-Gen Ranger is sure to raise the bar yet again and with the start of production in the Silverton assembly plant, South Africa is proud to play a role in its growth.”