Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCA) will be increasing the production capacity of its Duratorq TDCi diesel engine at its Struandale plant in port Elizabeth to address recent demand from the North American market.
This move comes on the back of the imminent introduction of the Ford Transit van stateside in 2013. This model, which will be launched for the first time in the American market in 2013 will make use of the 3,2-litre Duratorq TDCi 5-cylinder turbodiesel, which will be marketed as the Power Stroke.
“The expansion of our Duratorq TDCi production capacity for North America is an exceptionally proud and important achievement for Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa, as it’s the first time we will be exporting engines to the United States,” explained Jeff Nemeth, FMCSA president and CEO.
Part of this new programme will see a substantial investment in machining and equipment at Struandale, which also produces the 3,2 Durtorq TDCi for applications in the Ranger pick-up, while production will be increase by 31 000 engines a year.
“Coming on the back of the extremely successful launch of the New Ranger, this will increase our annual production capacity of the Duratorq TDCi engine by over 31,000 engines per year.”
The engine will be exported to Ford’s Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri as part of a $1,1 billion investment that will see Transit production commencing towards the end of 2013.
