Ford South Africa recently celebrated a major milestone: the production of the millionth Ford Ranger at its Silverton Manufacturing Plant in Pretoria.
Looking for a new or used Ford Ranger? Find it here with CARmag!
This achievement, 24 years in the making, highlights the Ranger’s enduring legacy and evolution in the South African automotive market. The journey began with the first generation Ranger, produced from 2000 to 2011. This period marked Ford South Africa’s major entry into export markets, starting in 2008, with models shipped to several countries in Africa. By the end of this generation, more than 100,000 Rangers had been produced, laying a solid foundation for future growth.
In 2011, Ford introduced the second-generation Ranger, a game changer for both the company’s business and the industry. This model brought new levels of performance, space, comfort, safety and technology, making it a trendsetter in the pick-up segment. The Silverton plant transitioned to a flexible, high-volume single platform specifically for the Ranger, with an initial capacity of 110,000 vehicles per year. This model also led to significant investment in the Struandale engine plant in Gqeberha for the production of the Duratorq TDCi engines.
The second-generation Ranger saw numerous improvements, including the introduction of the 2.0-liter single-turbo and bi-turbo diesel engines in 2019, and the debut of the Ranger Raptor. These innovations strengthened the Ranger’s position as the best-selling car in South Africa. By November 2022, when production of the second generation ended, 873,751 units had been produced, of which approximately two-thirds were exported to global markets.
The third and current generation of the bakkie, which was launched at the end of 2022, represents a significant leap forward. Ford invested heavily in expanding the capacity of the Silverton plant to 200,000 vehicles per year, or 720 vehicles per day – the highest volume of any automaker in South Africa. This expansion included the construction of an in-house stamping plant, a Ford chassis plant, a new body shop and a modernized assembly line, ensuring consistent quality and volume.
Located in the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (SEZ), adjacent to the Silverton plant, the new chassis plant is the result of a unique public-private partnership between Ford and various levels of government. This SEZ now houses 11 component suppliers, delivering parts directly to the Ranger assembly line.
Related: Did you know? 10 interesting facts about the production of the Ford Ranger
The company employs approximately 5,200 people and supports approximately 60,000 jobs across the value chain. Many employees come from the communities surrounding the Silverton plant and contribute significantly to regional economic development. Ford also has a large number of long-serving employees and multi-generational families who have worked at the Silverton and Struandale plants, creating a strong culture of pride and commitment to excellence.
The Ranger has transformed the pickup market, offering car-like comfort, reliable capability and durability. The second-generation Ranger achieved global acclaim, winning the International Pick-up Award in 2013 and 2020, with the new Ranger claiming the title again in 2023. In South Africa, the Ranger won the Car of the Year award in 2023 and was named the best 4×4 and pick-up in the Women’s World Car of the Year competition.
Ford’s Ranger has been consistently recognized in South African car awards. It has been our Best Double Cab Bakkie in the Top 12 Best Buys awards every year since 2011 and won the Bakkie Shootout in 2021. This journey of the Ford Ranger from inception to the latest model underlines Ford’s commitment to innovation and excellence in South Africa. The millionth Ranger milestone celebrates not just a vehicle, but the dedicated efforts of countless individuals who contributed to its success.
Browse thousands of new and used vehicles here with CARmag
Looking for a new or used Ford? Find it here with CARmag!
Browse thousands of new and used vehicles here with CARmag!