SILVERTON, Pretoria, May 6th, 2008 – Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) announced that it has secured an export contract to supply the popular Ford Ranger pickup truck to African markets. FMCSA, which already produces the Ford Ranger at its Silverton, Pretoria manufacturing facility, began exporting Sub-Saharan right-hand-drive Rangers in April, followed by left-hand-drive units in July.
FMCSA expects to produce approximately 10,000 Rangers for export during the remainder of 2008. This will increase to 24,000 Rangers for export in 2009, and approximately 40,000 by 2010, raising FMCSA’s total export volume to 60,000 units per year.
“This is another important contract for Ford of Southern Africa, and clearly shows the confidence Ford Motor Company has in our world-class workforce and their ability to produce vehicles of international standards and quality,” says Hal Feder, President and CEO of FMCSA. “It also further highlights our ongoing commitment to expanding our operations and export component in South Africa.”
This contract will assist the company in preparing for the export programme of Ford’s next generation global compact pickup in 2011, by enhancing Ford’s manufacturing capabilities. FMCSA recently announced it will invest more than R 1.5 billion to expand operations for the production of the next-generation pickup truck and Puma diesel engine.
The Ford Ranger was launched locally in June 2007. It has been hailed as the world’s most successful one-ton pickup truck, and sets high standards as a no-compromise, powerful truck that offers style, comfort and refinement.
“This announcement further highlights South Africa’s capabilities in an increasingly competitive global market. The automotive sector plays an important role in the South African economy and we will continue to develop our significance both locally and as a strategic export base for vehicles, engines and components for Ford Motor Company,” concludes Feder.
