Ford Motor Co. will invest 2.5 billion rand ($166.47 million) in its South African operations to start production of the Everest sport utility vehicle and create about 1,200 jobs.
The company’s plant in the capital city of Pretoria will have capacity to build 10,000 Everests per year and will be the fourth production hub for the SUV after factories in Thailand, India and China, according to Ford. The automaker plans to start producing the Everest in South Africa in the third quarter, and the vehicles will be sold across sub-Saharan Africa.
“When your plant gets a new vehicle, it’s a big deal,” Jim Farley, Ford’s president of Europe, Middle East and Africa, said in a presentation at the factory on Tuesday. “Today we are demonstrating our commitment to South Africa and Africa as a long-term strategic export base for the Ford Motor Company.”
The South African government’s automotive-incentive program has attracted companies including Ford, BMW AG, and Volkswagen AG to set up factories and create jobs in the country, where unemployment is almost 25%. Exports of all cars and commercial vehicles will probably reach a record of 376,000 units this year, according to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa, even as the local market declines. Automakers are also preparing for an expected rise in demand in sub-Saharan Africa, boosted by improved road conditions and young populations with disposable income.
The Sahara is far from the only vehicle new to South African production.
“Ford will start manufacturing 30 new vehicle models by 2020 in African countries, including South Africa, Morocco, Nigeria, Gambia, Ghana and Kenya,” said Jim Benintende, Ford’s president of Middle East and Africa.
Transport equipment exports from South Africa last year were valued at $8.7 billion, 24% higher than 2014, according to South African Revenue Service data. The category was the third-largest by value of exports, after mineral products and precious stones.
In South Africa, Ford produces the Ranger in Pretoria and manufactures the Duratorq engine at a factory in Port Elizabeth. The $167 million will also include investment in Ranger production, which is running at full capacity, the company said.
By Loni Prinsloo and Liezel Hill, with assistance from Keith Naughton and Rene Vollgraaff
