Ford will invest R3 billion inmanufacturing operations in SA, including a production line for the Ford Ranger Raptor.

Ford is trying to keep up with demand for this generation of Ranger that was launched back in 2011. The cash injection will see Ford SA able to meet local and export demand for the bakkie all over the continent.

Ockert Berry, vice president Operations, Ford Middle East and Africa said, "looking further ahead, the expanded production capacity will ensure that we are geared up and fully prepared to respond to additional future market demands for the Ranger by ramping up our production even further. This significant investment reaffirms Ford's ongoing commitment to South Africa as a local manufacturer, exporter and key employer in the automotive sector, supporting a large number of direct jobs as well as indirect employment through our extensive supplier base.

At the top end of the bakkie scale, the Ranger Raptor will also be produced in SA. The performance bakkie is set to be released in 2019. Speculation assumes the Raptor will be built with a 331 kW 3.5-litre V6 turbopetrol, but it’s too early in the development stage to get a lockdown on the specifics.

"The response to our announcement that Ford will be introducing a Ranger Raptor has been absolutely phenomenal, and we're exceptionally proud to now confirm that this highly anticipated performance model will be assembled in South Africa," stated Dr Casper Kruger, managing director of Ford Motor Company Sub-Saharan Africa Region. "This is yet another fantastic achievement for our local team, and signals our ability to produce world-class products of the highest calibre."

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