Image: Ford
Image: Ford
Image: Ford
Image: Ford
Image: Ford
Despite the next-generation bakkie expected to hit showroom floors by the end of the year, Ford South Africa has stated that September 2022 was the best export month for their popular Ranger. Here are all of the export stats you need to know on the leading vehicle export from SA!
Image: Ford
In September 2022, Ford South Africa prepared 9 829 units for export which will arrive in over 100 global markets over the next few weeks. This is paired with the 1 604 units sold locally which means the outgoing bakkie managed a whopping production volume of 11 433 units for the month and became the best export month of the year.
“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.
With the next-generation Ranger scheduled for launch in South Africa towards the end of the fourth quarter of the year, the outgoing model remains a popular choice during its run-out phase with its best export month being recorded. Assembled at Ford’s Silverton Assembly Plant, the number from September 2022 greatly surpassed the second-highest June 2022 figure of 8 595.
Image: Ford
“The global automotive industry remains severely constrained due 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 with 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. This included the construction of an all-new high-tech Body Shop, an on-site Stamping Plant and the only Ford-owned Frame Line in the world located in the adjacent Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ). Furthermore, all of the existing manufacturing facilities were modernised and upgraded to deliver world-class quality. It also facilitated the highest-ever installed capacity for the Silverton Assembly Plant, which is now capable of producing up to 200 000 vehicles per year.
Image: Ford
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 will be the mainstay of the new Ranger line-up.
Keyword: September was best export month for the outgoing Ford Ranger in 2022