Ford South Africa has begun production of the Ranger Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) at its Silverton Manufacturing Plant serving as the only plant in the world preparing these electrified derivatives of the bakkie.
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This is the first-ever Ranger PHEV, exclusively produced in South Africa for export markets. Ockert Berry, VP of Operations at Ford South Africa, emphasized the importance of this milestone: “The addition of the high-tech new Ranger PHEV to our production portfolio is an important milestone in Ford’s manufacturing history in South Africa. This makes the Silverton Manufacturing Plant central to Ford’s Ranger sustainability efforts, as we are the global source for both the new plug-in hybrid and the established Ranger line-up exported to over 100 markets.”
Related: Ford to Invest R5,2 Billion into Local Silverton Factory For Ranger PHEV
The Silverton plant has undergone substantial upgrades to support the PHEV production, including the creation of a new PHEV Battery Assembly Plant and modifications to the Chassis and Stamping Plants. These changes allow the facility to produce 200 000 vehicles annually, including around 200 PHEVs daily. The plant is equipped with advanced systems for battery pack testing and handling, including innovations like vacuum testing with differential noise cancellation.
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The Ranger PHEV combines a 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine with a 75 kW electric motor and an 11.8 kWh battery, offering a 3 500 kg towing capacity and Pro Power Onboard. It will be launched in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand in 2025. Ford’s investment in Silverton highlights the facility’s role as a key global hub for Ranger production. “This truly is a Built Ford Proud moment as every Ford Ranger we produce, including the advanced new Ranger PHEV, benefits from these wide-ranging environmental upgrades,” Berry concluded.
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