As part of its recent R3-billion investment to produce the Ranger Raptor in South Africa (which will go on sale in the local market by 2019), Ford has upgraded its Struandale engine plant in Port Elizabeth to produce the high-performance bakkie's new 2.0-litre 4-cylinder bi-turbodiesel engine and ramp up the production of the Duratorq TDCi engine used, inter alia, bythe Ranger and Everest.

By Wezile Bonani

Installed capacity for the Duratorq TDCi program is set to increase from 254000 machined component sets (cylinder head, block and crankshaft) to 280000, while assembly capacity will grow from 115000 to 130000 engines per annum. In line with this, an additional shift will be added (to the 3 shifts working 5 days a week) and, by the time the additional 2.2-litre engine derivatives comeonline in the 4th quarter of 2018, Struandale will assemblea total of 56 variants of the Duratorq TDCi engine.

The 2.0-litre unit is only the 2nd diesel engine to go into production at the local plant with its new assembly hall, which measures 3 868 m2 in size,since 1964. The expanded Duratorq TDCi programwill also see 22 new 4-cylinder engine derivatives exported to European markets, including for use in front-wheel drive Ford models.

Jacques Brent (Ford President, Middle East & Africa) also took the time to share a global summary and smart vehicle prospects in the pipeline for the brand. John Cameron (Plant Manager of Ford's Struandale Engine Plant) indicated that the plant was to become the machining home of the Duratorq engines utilised in the Everest, Range and Transit by virtue of the shared engine assembly. Other markets to benefit from the production capacity expansion include Italy, Russia and Turkey.

At the moment there is no indication if the popular 5-cylinder turbodiesel will be discontinued as it is still in demand, especially in our market. And, unfortunately, no details were shared on the power outputs for the upcoming engine derivatives, barring the Raptor with its impressive 157 kWand 500 Nm of peak torque.

The new state of the art facility boasts some of the latest technical advancements, for example, tools have allocated areas for workstations and engines will be electronically monitored for the absolute best practice and high-quality standards the plant has been known for.

In conclusion, asacitizen of this wonderful city, while job creation is key, job security is just as pivotal as Ford has demonstrated by the addition of a new shift for the upgraded assembly line.

Further Reading

Ford Ranger Raptor: 5 Things You Need to Know

Ford Ranger Raptor Revealed, Coming to SA [w/Video]

Bakkie Comparison: Nissan Navara vs Ford Ranger Fx4 [with Video]

2016 Toyota Hilux vs Ford Ranger – Offroad & Review

Ford Ranger 2.2 XLS 4×4 Automatic (2016) Review

Ford Ranger 3.2 4×4 Wildtrak (2016) Review

Ford Ranger Fx4 (2017) – a Raptor Kit with a Warranty

6 Most Fuel-Efficient Double-Cab Bakkies in SA

Most Powerful Double-Cab Bakkies in SA

2016 Toyota Hilux vs Ford Ranger – Offroad & Review

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