A good news exodus has begun as export versions of the Ford Ranger are now leaving the country bound for more than 100 markets globally.
“We are proud to commence with Ranger exports to customers around the world from our world-class manufacturing facility in South Africa,” says Ockert Berry, VP of Operations, Ford South Africa.
Having modernised the local production and increased the installed capacity to a record 200 000 units a year, Ford remains committed to delivering quality Rangers from the Silverton Assembly Plant and Struandale Engine Plant.
Two-thirds of production will leave Durban and Gqeberha with the two-port local strategy essential for Ford’s higher export volumes, with the Gqeberha route set to play a more instrumental role once a more efficient and reliable rail corridor between Gauteng and the Eastern Cape comes to life.
With the global economic recovery gaining momentum, it will be interesting to see how the demand for these vehicles changes. Ford has recognised that foreign markets will complement, rather than replace, domestic demand. Given how global business is conducted nowadays, with companies selling their products in various, this seems like a smart move.
