Ford shipped 9 829 locally manufactured Rangers to over 100 international markets during September making it the leading exporter.
It is highest export volume for the year, surpassing the 8 595 units exported in June 2022. Combined with domestic sales of 1 604 units, total Ranger volume for September reached 11 433 units.
“It’s encouraging to see that global demand for the current Ranger remains high even during its run-out phase and despite the challenges we have faced over the past two years,” says Dhiren Vanmali, Executive Sales Operations Director.
“The global automotive industry remains severely constrained owing to the ongoing chip shortage and the lingering disruption to shipping logistics as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Vanmali says. “Accordingly, our operations have been hampered by numerous supply constraints throughout this year, and our production facilities haven’t been able to run at full capacity.
“However, the situation is improving thanks to the hard work and dedication of our purchasing, manufacturing and logistics teams as well as our supplier network, and this is reflected in our export results for September,” Vanmali says. “It bodes well for the upcoming and exciting launch of our Next-Gen Ranger, which remains on track for the end of the fourth quarter this year.”
Ford invested R15.8-billion in its Silverton Assembly Plant operations and supplier tooling for the Next-Gen Ranger, which is now capable of producing up to 200 000 vehicles a year.
An additional R600-million was invested in the Struandale Engine Plant in Gqeberha for the launch of the new 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine that will power the range-topping Next-Gen Ranger models. It also introduced updated versions of the current 2.0-litre Single Turbo and Bi-Turbo engines that are assembled at the Struandale plant and which will be the mainstay of the new Ranger line-up.
Ford has also received unprecedented customer interest in the Next-Gen Everest, as well as for the powerful Next-Gen Ranger Raptor, which will be launched in the first quarter of 2023. With the Silverton Assembly Plant expanding its Ranger production, the Next-Gen Everest and Ranger Raptor are now fully imported from Thailand instead of being locally assembled, as was the case with the outgoing range.
Some industry specialists said the writing was on the wall for Nissan’s Rosslyn plant after the first rumours surfaced at the beginning of last year about a possible closure as part of the manufacturer’s global restructuring plan.
MISA, the Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA), welcomes Chery’s investment in South Africa with the acquisition of Nissan’s historic production plant in Rosslyn, Pretoria, which will offer employment to the majority of Nissan’s affected employees.
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Some industry specialists said the writing was on the wall for Nissan’s Rosslyn plant after the first rumours surfaced at the beginning of last year about a possible closure as part of the manufacturer’s global restructuring plan.
MISA, the Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA), welcomes Chery’s investment in South Africa with the acquisition of Nissan’s historic production plant in Rosslyn, Pretoria, which will offer employment to the majority of Nissan’s affected employees.
At 39 years old, professional motorcycle rider Clint Seller has claimed the 2025 SunBet ZX10 Masters Cup Championship, adding yet another trophy to an already impressive collection.
