PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa – Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa’s (FMCSA) Struandale Engine Plant began production of the Ford Duratorq TDCi engine yesterday, part of a ZAR 3.4 billion (USD 500 million) export investment programme.

The upgraded Struandale Engine Plant now has an annual production capacity of 75,000 engines and 220,000 engine component kits. The Duratorq TDCi engines produced at Struandale will power the All-New Ford Ranger pickup truck, which will be built at the Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria, and exported to 148 markets around the world.

“This programme is more than just an engine, it is confirmation that our Struandale Engine Plant is truly world-class in every respect,” said Jeff Nemeth, president and CEO, FMCSA.

Nemeth was joined by Lewis Booth, Ford executive vice president and chief financial officer, as well as employees and key stakeholders at a launch celebration on June 27. 

“This new diesel engine will help drive our transformation in South Africa, and it is a key reason the All-New Ford Ranger pickup truck is a class leader in such a globally competitive segment,” said Booth.

The Struandale Engine Plant is the only Ford facility that shares both component machining and engine assembly for the Duratorq TDCi diesel engine programme supporting the Ford Ranger. The machined components are used for engine kits which are exported to other Ford Ranger assembly plants, and the fully assembled engines will be used in the South African-built Ranger.

“The diesel engine programme represents an entirely new era for the Struandale Engine Plant, which, through Ford’s stringent global quality standards, has undergone a complete transformation to ensure that it competes with the best in the world,” said Wallace Yearwood, Struandale plant manager.

(From left) Jeff Nemeth, Lewis Booth and Wallace Yearwood make the official announcement.	Lewis Booth announces that the new-generation Ford Ranger, powered by the Duratorq TDCi diesel engine supplied from the Struandale Engine Plant, will be exported to 148 markets.

The Duratorq makes an appearance.