Ford’s Silverton Assembly Plant in South Africa has commenced production of the next-generation Ranger pickup for customers worldwide.
The start of production follows an investment of US$1.05 billion (£865m) in Ford’s South African operations and supplier tooling. South African-built Rangers are exported to more than 100 markets, including the UK and Europe.
The Pretoria plant joins two plants in Thailand producing the new Ford Ranger for global markets. The company also has assembly operations in Vietnam and Cambodia, with plants in the US and Argentina expected 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 utilised to modernise and transform the Silverton Assembly Plant to produce vehicles of the absolute best quality for customers around the world.”
“We have put immense effort, resources, and the latest technologies in place to ensure that the Next-Gen Ranger is truly world-class and that the Silverton plant globally equals the very best,” says Andrea Cavallaro, operations director at Ford IMG.
“We took several strategic decisions, including the decision to bring the stamping operations and the frame manufacturing in-house to ensure complete control of the production quality. The process put in today guarantees that the components going onto the assembly line for every Next-Gen Ranger are of the highest quality.”
The Stamping Plant at the Silverton Assembly Plant is in a new 10,320m2 facility and feeds stamped body panels directly to the adjacent and completely new 44,000m2 Body Shop, which is highly automated with approximately 493 robots.
“To meet our volume and quality objectives, we have the world’s only Ford-owned and operated chassis manufacturing plant at the Silverton plant that uses the most advanced technologies currently available,” Cavallaro added.
In addition, the vast 100,000m2 Frame Line, located next door to the Silverton Assembly Plant, ensures the seamless sequencing of parts directly to the assembly line.
Quality measures implemented at the Silverton plant include using in-line Perceptron measurement systems that provide accurate scanning of every part produced and the high-tech GOM ATOS ScanBox blue light scanner system to create highly detailed 3D models of manufactured components.
“These latest-generation measurement and scanning systems give us real-time data throughout production, ensuring we can quickly identify and address any quality concerns before the part leaves its production area,” explains Ockert Berry, Ford South Africa’s vice president of operations. “This data is stored in our global quality management system, allowing us to monitor trends and respond proactively to any potential issues.”
“The uncompromising approach to quality has reshaped every aspect of our manufacturing operations and reinforces our commitment to delivering world-class products for our customers around the world,” Berry added.
“The success of the Ranger globally establishes it as one of Ford’s most important nameplates sold in every continent,” said Neale Hill, president of 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.”
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