Ford announced that it will invest $1.05 billion in its South African manufacturing operations in what will be the automaker’s most significant investment in the country.
Operations director of Ford’s International Market Group, Andrea Cavallaro, confirmed that Ford plans to increase its annual capacity in South Africa from 168,000 to 200,000 vehicles.
The South African investment will include $683 million for technology upgrades and new facilities at its plant in Silverton. An additional $365 million will be used to upgrade tooling at major supplier factories throughout the country.
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Ford says the increased production capacity will create 1,200 new jobs and add a further 10,000 jobs across its supplier network. Cavallaro added that Ford wants to make its Silverton plant entirely energy self-sufficient and carbon neutral by 2024.
“It’s the biggest investment in Ford’s 97-year history in South Africa and one of the largest ever in the local automotive industry,” Cavallaro said.
“This investment will further modernize our South African operations, helping them to play an even more important role in the turnaround and growth of our global automotive operations, as well as our strategic alliance with Volkswagen,” president of Ford’s International Markets Group, Dianne Craig, stated. “Ranger is one of our highest volume, most successful global vehicles. This investment will equip our team with the tools and facilities to deliver the best Ford Ranger ever, in higher numbers and with superior quality.”
Following the cash infusion, the Blue Oval’s Silverton Assembly Plant is expected to generate revenues exceeding 1.1 percent of South Africa’s gross domestic product.
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